Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday joined Emiratis in the Union march at the Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival at Al Wathba.
“We remember the past with pride and look at present with confidence and perceive a brighter future when we see Emirati tribes participating in the Union march, following in the footsteps of the nation’s founding fathers,” Shaikh Mohammad said on the occasion.
The march, organised by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs as part of the UAE’s 46th National Day celebrations, attracted a large number of people from tribes across the country, who marched through the grand stand amid rendition of national songs and folkloric performances. Marchers held the UAE flags in a show of loyalty to the UAE’s wise leadership.
The event featured a number of traditional performances including Emirati dances, music, and horse and camel riding. The participation of hundreds of Emiratis hailing from different tribes in the march showed strong bond of unity which has been a key foundation of the UAE since 1971.
In addition to traditional Emirati songs and dances professional horse and camel riders performed a number of impressive riding skills, with the audience cheering and applauding them.
A poem was also recited as part of the celebrations, as the poet extolled the virtues of patriotism and loyalty to the UAE. Shaikh Mohammad also joined the celebrations by joining the traditional dance along with hundreds of Emiratis.
Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival
Launched on December 1 to coincide with the UAE’s National Day, the Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival will run until January 27. The festival celebrates the life and legacy of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The festival is being held to honour the UAE’s founding father and to recognise pivotal role in preserving our nation’s proud history as a gateway to the future. It celebrates the UAE’s cultural heritage, showcases the rich diversity of its traditions and provides an educational platform for enlightenment.
Since its inception, the festival has become one of the largest cultural events in the UAE that celebrates the rich traditions of the country, with a number of attractions that highlight the different aspects of Emirati culture.
Event details
Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival
When: December 1 to January 27
Where: Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi
Opening Hours: 4pm to 10pm daily
Street artistes and performers: 5pm to 10pm daily
Arabian Horse shows: 5pm and 6pm
World Heritage Parade: 7pm daily
Fountain and laser shows: 4pm to 10pm daily every 30 minutes
20 interactive exhibitions
24 cultural districts
60 tradition cafes and cuisines
500 shops with products from around the world
Admission to the festival is free
