Gulf News

Stunning visuals, musicals to celebrate 47th National Day

OVER 22,000 TO ATTEND EVENT AT ZAYED SPORTS CITY STADIUM FEATURING 1,500 PERFORMERS

- BY SAMI ZAATARI Staff Reporter

The UAE’s 47th National Day will be celebrated in spectacula­r fashion on December 2, with stunning visual displays, live musical shows, and at least 1,500 performers set to entertain a crowd of over 22,000 people at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi — the venue for this year’s official celebratio­n.

“In this Year of Zayed, we commemorat­e a hundred years since his birth, alongside recognisin­g his legacy as a visionary leader. Throughout these celebratio­ns we aim to instill his memory and his vision within the hearts of all,” said Abdullah Al Qubaisi, member of the Official UAE 47th National Day Celebratio­n Organising Committee during a press briefing yesterday.

“Over 22,000 people will witness a celebratio­n which takes them through a journey of the UAE’s history. They will visit the life of Shaikh Zayed as a young man, who was a leader with a brilliant vision, a love of life, and a strong will to change the nation around him,” he added, explaining how the live show will be a story of the late Shaikh Zayed and the progress of the UAE over the last 47 years.

Highlighti­ng some of the main themes of the show, Al Qubaisi said they would highlight Shaikh Zayed’s role towards conservati­on and his work in upgrading the country’s health and education services. “The celebratio­ns will also highlight Shaikh Zayed’s love for nature and how he sought to protect such beauty for future generation­s.

“The celebratio­ns will show how Shaikh Zayed looked to provide the people of the UAE with world class health care and education. These are milestones which Shaikh Zayed looked to achieve for the benefit of all the nation,” he added.

“The celebratio­n will also pay tribute to the foundation of the union at Saih As Sidirah, when Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan forged a new path for the future of the seven emirates of the UAE with Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. This historic meeting laid the foundation for the nation that we love today,” Al Qubaisi said.

Commenting on the 1,500 performers, Al Qubaisi said that 70 per cent of them are Emiratis.

“Including 1,500 male and female performers — 70 per cent of whom are Emirati — the celebratio­n will use a stage built of 20,900 pixels which required over 4,200 scaffolds to develop.

“Alongside the incredible visual displays, the event will also include live musical performanc­es from the Royal Philharmon­ic Orchestra, alongside 150 Emirati musicians, with poems and music which have been specifical­ly written for the celebratio­n.

Al Qubaisi also said that over 200 nationalit­ies will be present during the live shows.

“Our audience consists of Emiratis, residents and visitors who will represent over 200 nationalit­ies. Together, we will celebrate the internatio­nal status of the historic union.”

 ??  ?? Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority set a Guinness World Record for the largest painted wooden block mosaic. The record was created as part of the Year of Zayed activities.
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority set a Guinness World Record for the largest painted wooden block mosaic. The record was created as part of the Year of Zayed activities.
 ?? Abdul Rahman/Gulf News ?? Abdullah Al Qubaisi
Abdul Rahman/Gulf News Abdullah Al Qubaisi
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