Dubai: With their wrist-bands raised high and flashing with the colours of the UAE flag, more than 3,500 audience members joined the ‘Spirit of the Union’ performances near Burj Al Arab yesterday, marking the beginning of the 43rd National Day celebrations.
Organised by the Dubai National Day Celebrations Committee, a heritage village was constructed near Burj Al Arab to host a number of cultural events including included traditional dances and Emirati cuisine.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, attended the event. He expressed his happiness at the public participation in “Spirit of The Union” celebrations saying it mirrored the community’s awareness about the significance of the occasion and what it stood for.
Shaikh Hamdan asserted that the National Day celebrations must continue throughout the year, and it should stand as a lighthouse for development, modernisation and innovation.
Shaikh Hamdan said the union itself is an innovative idea introduced originally by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and endorsed by Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Rulers of the emirates.
The “Spirit of the Union” show commenced with violin and cello performances by two Emirati youths. An Emirati brass and percussion band then took the stage to perform the national anthem.
A number of performances were held simultaneously on a specially-built stage utilising the latest technologies and visual effects. The show included acrobatic performances, violin and cello solos by two Emirati youths as well as short plays highlighting the unification and development of the emirates. During the show, wrist-bands flashing with the UAE flag’s colours were distributed to the audience members.
Famed Emirati singer Hussain Al Jasmi also took the stage to perform a song dedicated to the occasion.
The show ended with the backdrop of the stage splitting open to reveal the Burj Al Arab. Combining a range of light and sound effects, the hotel’s famous sail-shaped façade was used for a 3D show as fireworks went off around it.
Shaikh Hamdan expressed his appreciation for the organisers’ efforts to host the event and the manner in which it paid tribute to the achievements of the founding fathers and the values of loyalty, patriotism and allegiance to the national cause.
