Extravaganzas to watch for in Capital
abu dhabi — Mega events are all lined up for the upcoming 47th National Day, binding people from all walks of life in their love of the country. The official event in Abu Dhabi is set to be a grand spectacle in honour of the UAE’s founding father.
On December 2 at the Zayed Sports City, the 47th UAE National Day celebration named ‘This is Zayed, This is the UAE’ will pay tribute to the life of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose 100th birth anniversary is being commemorated across the country this year. A never-before-seen extravaganza of live music, visual art and epic performances is set to wow a crowd of more than 20,000.
Tickets for the event, which kicks off at 3pm, are priced at Dh60 per person or Dh50 per person for a group of four or more. Entry is free for children under the age of two, people of determination and senior citizens.
Part of the Zayed show is a display of 47 masterpieces from some of the country’s budding artists, who painted their love for Sheikh Zayed with stunning details during an event on Saturday at the Warehouse421 gallery. Families and people from different nationalities took part in the art event.
“We are trying as a family to show our love of the UAE and the late Sheikh Zayed, through our passion of art, painting and creativity,” said Emily Mohammed, one of the participating artists who was with her three children, Abdullah, Rahma and Maimouna.
Amna Al Bannai, who came with her brother Saif Abdulrahman, said: “Words alone are not enough to express our love of the UAE. It was my choice to create a painting that represents the appreciation, which we hold towards this nation.”
Events in Abu Dhabi’s key venues
Besides the official celebration, other grand events will be taking place across Abu Dhabi’s famous landmarks.
Yas Marina Circuit is mounting an entertainment showcase featuring drift shows, cultural performances and off-track amusement that families can enjoy. The show will start at 2pm on December 2 and end with a fireworks display.
Adorned with the vibrant colours of the UAE flag, the Emirates Palace will hold special events and put up several cultural attractions inside its premises.
There will be a display of seven different kinds of dates, traditional ‘Ayala’ dance performances, a lottery and a falcon — the country’s national bird — on standby for a Photos by Ryan Lim
meet-and-greet. The palace’s Grand Dome will be busy with an educational children’s area, a Louvre Abu Dhabi corner and a fullsize dhow replica.
Hotel visitors will be able to watch a fireworks show at 8.30pm on December 1 and 2. Also, spectators can enjoy a laser show and a video projection at the Triumphal Arch.