Press release
Ireland invites the world to sing together in the “Expo World Choir”
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Ireland will present the ‘Expo World Choir’, a special night of song and celebration of Irish music, led by musical director and conductor, David Brophy on the main stage at Expo Dubai tonight.
The Expo World Choir is a signature event for Ireland at Expo, and will bring together a huge multicultural ‘one night only’ choir drawn from Expo’s participating countries, local schools, Irish teachers, the Irish community in the UAE, and Dubai residents.
This unique project has had registrations from 148 countries to date and is a representation of Ireland's Expo theme of ‘Putting Creativity at the Centre of the Human Experience’. The number of countries registered to participate already surpasses the world record of most nationalities to sing in a choir (105)!
Speaking ahead of the Expo World Choir performance, the Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, said:
"Expo World Choir embodies the best of Irish creativity. This ambitious project is a cornerstone of Ireland’s participation at Expo and represents Ireland’s ambition to be a unifying force in the global community – in this case, assembling 150 countries at Expo to sing together for one night. This project with the National Concert Hall showcases all forms of Irish talent, including that of our Irish diaspora in the UAE. I wish to thank this vibrant community for their active engagement and support and congratulate all of the performers involved in this exciting To Be Irish project."
This special concert, presented in partnership with Ireland's National Concert Hall, will be led by conductor and musical director, David Brophy, who will guide participants through a carefully curated selection of widely recognised Irish and international songs, specially arranged by David for this event. The show is centred around the song ‘You Raise Me Up’, the lyrics of which were written by Irishman Brendan Graham and music by Rolf Løvland. You Raise Me Up is the most downloaded sheet music in the world, and is sung in dozens of languages, making it the perfect song for the Expo World Choir to perform. Other songs will include U2's ‘One’ , An Poc ar Buile and Mná na hÉireann (full set list below).
The Expo World Choir will be supported by 31 instrumentalists, singers and soloists from the National Concert Hall including Iarla Ó Lionáird, Jerry Fish, Tolü Makay, and Briana Corrigan.
This special initiative , a centrepiece of Ireland's offering at Expo Dubai, draws on Irish musical traditions, embracing the world’s diversity and bringing it together in harmony.
A key component of the Expo World Choir is the participation of members of the 10,000 strong Irish community in the UAE. This initiative is also part of the ‘To Be Irish’ at Christmas campaign, which runs from 8-23 December and aims to reflect the diversity of contemporary Irish culture.
The Ireland at Expo team will be streaming the concert across its social platforms:
Full playlist:
For more information on the Expo World Choir, please visit Ireland.ie/expoworldchoir
Ireland’s presence at Expo 2020 Dubai is an all of government initiative, part of the Global Ireland 2025 programme, and is coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The theme of Ireland’s participation at Expo is ‘Ireland – Island of Inspiration: putting creativity at the centre of the human experience ’. Ireland’s presence at Expo is centred around its custom built Pavilion; an immersive exhibition representing the best of Irish creativity and innovation; and a six- month programme of events, including high-level engagement in Expo’s ten thematic weeks. Ireland’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai is intended to enhance Ireland’s visibility and reputation as an attractive place to live, visit, study, invest and do business in the UAE, and the wider MENA region.
The 16-day programme for To Be Irish at Christmas runs from 8 - 23 December and celebrates and upholds the special connections between the Irish at home and abroad in the run-up to Christmas despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Built around a dedicated online platform, ToBeIrish.ie, it will feature over 300 in-person, hybrid & online events and gifting pages from all across the world. As with last year’s successful programme, its aim is to engage with our 70 million strong diaspora and their family and friends in Ireland - to share celebrations both traditional and new. It will showcase the best of what it means to be Irish during the holiday season through music, performances, sharing ideas and gifts. Everything from nostalgic Christmas recipes to extraordinary stories from Irish people living across the world. More details and a full listing of all events can be found at tobeirish.ie