Abu Dhabi: A weekend celebration of Emirati culture and heritage on December 26 and 27 will be a highlight of the Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi Stopover, which runs between December 12 and January 3.
The ninth-month, round-the-world race got underway on Saturday from Alicante, Spain, with the Azzam yacht sailed by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing among the teams taking part.
And skipper Ian Walker and his crew, along with the six other teams from around the world, will be greeted in style when they reach the capital at the end of the year, it was announced on Monday.
Visitors to the purpose-built Destination Village on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche breakwater will showcase all aspects of the UAE, from cooking and food to arts and crafts, as well as music and entertainment.
“We expect 200,000 visitors to the stopover and many of them will be international tourists with lots seeing the country for the first time,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director — Tourism for Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
“As well as four centuries of maritime heritage, Abu Dhabi enjoys a rich and diverse culture, which we aim to share for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.”
One hundred crews will race in the 43-foot dhow race on December 27.
The Destination Village opens on December 12 with the Arabian debut of BBC Worldwide’s highly acclaimed Blue Planet in Concert, which will be performed on a floating screen off Abu Dhabi Corniche breakwater.
The village closes on the evening of January 3, when the race fleet of Volvo Ocean 65s departs for its next endurance sailing leg to Sanya, China.
For more information about Abu Dhabi’s 2014/15 VOR Stopover, log on to www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com or visit the Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiOceanRacing and @ADORlog.
