Al Ain: The historic Jahili Fort was transformed into a spectacular display of light and colours on Tuesday night with an illumination show that depicted the visions of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The show, which has a series of montage of imagery will be held daily until December 3.
Presented through contemporary illustrations and light technology, the six-minute show is organised by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage as part of the UAE's 40th National Day celebrations.
The inaugural show was witnessed by Shaikh Hazza Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Undersecretary of the Office of the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, other officials and the general public.
Comprising nine scenes, the display begins with a falcon flying over the beautiful expanse of the desert with the sunrise.
As the scene changes, a sand storm begin showing the beginning of the journey of UAE's history.
The presentation covers important aspects of the country's history and development starting from the pearl diving days to the modern UAE. It sheds light on the Bedouins' culture, the evolution of their lives, sports and settlements. The fifth scene depicts the night skies with the celestial navigation devices pioneered by Muslims, namely the Armillary globe and the Astrolabe. Along with understanding the cycles of the moon, these observational instruments were designed and built to determine the latitude and location of Makkah and the times of prayers.
The illustration also shows the prosperity and unity of the country with pictures of the leaders along with the national flag fluttering in the wind.
"This was an amazing illustration," said an Emirati Mohammad Al Ka'abi who came to see the first show on Tuesday night. He said the duration of the presentation should have been longer.
Abdul Aziz, an expatriate, said it was a marvellous show that provides a quick glimpse into the history, culture and development of the country. "We really enjoyed this," he said.
The Jahili Fort was built in 1891 to defend Al Ain and protect the palm groves of the city. It is an icon of culture and history in the emirate's eastern region.
Information
The show will be presented daily until December 3, from 6:30pm until 11:30pm with a half-hour intervals.
