— The record breaking design and production of a big scale event to be attended by more than 180.000 people.
HQWS is proud to have been entrusted by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs with the entire production of the Holy Mass for the visit of Pope Francis. Staged in the Zayed Sports City Stadium the Mass was attended by 180,000 people. HQWS designed and built a multi-level 52m wide covered stage which included central LED illuminated gold cross, marble altar and chair for the Holy Father.
The contemporary, minimalistic design was infused with subtle arabesque pattern in the form of a full spot UV graphic overlay and incorporated an abundance of fresh flower beds.
Total time to design and deliver the Project was just 4 weeks, including 10 days pre-production. Part of the stage was pre-built in sections in between the Asian Football Cup matches, the final of which took place just 3 days before the Mass. Total stadium build, including raising and carpeting the entire floor, installation of all audio visual, delivery of Papal dressing rooms, royal majlis, media tribunes for 700 global press, broadcast infrastructure and stadium-wide branding & ceremonial décor was executed in just 71 hours, 24 of which was in torrential rain.
In the public spaces surrounding the stadium, HQWS designed and delivered infrastructure for an additional 85,000 people which included twelve 16m x 9m outdoor LED screens with scenic surrounds, a distributed sound system to cover 90,000 square metres and a central 24m x 18m concert stage for post mass concerts by Filipino and Indian music artists.
