Atlantis opens doors to rich and famous

Dubai: The A-list celebrities came, they partied, and when the world's biggest ever fireworks display began just after midnight, Atlantis was declared officially open and Dubai witnessed the most extravagant and expensive party in its history.

Over 2,000 celebrities, including Robert De Niro, Charlize Theron, Lindsay Lohan, Janet Jackson, Dame Shirley Bassey, The Duchess of York, Michael Jordan, Chris Tucker and Lily Allen dined on signature dishes prepared by Atlantis' multi-Michelin-starred chefs Santi Santamaria, Michel Rostang, Giorgio Locatelli and Nobu Matsuhisa.

A spectacular fireworks display was followed by an incredible video illumination sequence, introduced by Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, who rose from the stage as the Goddess of Atlantis.

Designed by Marie-Jeanne Gauthe, creative director for Jean Michel Jarre in Paris, the visual display used the 200-metre wide Royal Towers as a canvas to visualise the story of Atlantis.

Outside, thousands of residents and visitors headed to Dubai Marina to watch the fireworks, causing heavy traffic.

'An escape'

Congestion on Al Sufouh road tailed back for several kilometres past Knowledge Village. Spectators on the emirate's beaches also became stuck in traffic jams.

Over $20 million (Dh73.5 million) was spent on the event, which featured live performances from Middle East popstar Nawal Al Zoghbi and Australian music legend Kylie Minogue.

Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, the resort's developer, said: "From the beginning I have been working with my team to create places where people can escape their everyday lives. Atlantis is the realisation of a vision we shared with our partners at Nakheel." Lucky UAE residents at the party had the chance to mingle with stars from the worlds of film, music and sport and there was no bigger name than Godfather star Robert De Niro.

However, it was British entrepreneur Richard Branson, rather than De Niro, who said he wanted to be godfather of any future children I may have when I told him his book, Screw It, Let's Do It, had inspired me to move to the UAE two years ago.

Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World and Executive Chairman of Nakheel, said: "This partnership is testament to our belief in Dubai having become one of the world's top destinations."

And did the celebs like being in Dubai? Lindsay Lohan and OC star Mischa Barton told Gulf News they loved the city and a host of others will reveal their thoughts in tomorrow's tabloid!

Final word of the night went to American actor Wesley Snipes who said he couldn't wait to hit the slopes at Ski Dubai.