The skies above Abu Dhabi city and the emirate’s Western Region (Al Gharbia) will burst into a majestic canvas of patriotic colour this weekend, as a series of night time fireworks displays mark the UAE’s 41st National Day.
December 1
With some shots reaching 150-metres high, a seven-minute show featuring comets, tails, volcanoes and shells will kick-start proceedings on the UAE capital’s Corniche on December 1 at 8.30pm,
December 2
Two synchronised 10-minute shows at 8.30pm along the Corniche beachfront and at Madinat Zayed Cultural Centre in Al Gharbia will see more than 17,000 fireworks, or ‘shots’ - extending to a staggering 600-metres in length - fly skywards from a collection of boats, barges and on-land stations.
All the weekend’s displays are set to an original song - ‘Ya Khalifatna’ (Our Khalifa) - inspired by the classic UAE song, ‘Zanaha Zayed’ – a 1996 hit written by renowned Emirati poet Arif Al Khaja. The new track marries sections from Al Khaja’s much-adored original with extracts from last year’s National Day song ‘Amrek Al Sami’ – another Al Khaja hit. The combined lyrics tell the story of how His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the country’s founding father and first President, beautified the fledgling UAE nation and how His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, is extending his father’s legacy.