The brilliant spectacle can be visible from afar, in a proud declaration of the nation's 'spirit of the union'
The world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, is illuminated in the colours of the national flag to mark the 41st National Day celebrations.
A symbol of UAE's civic pride, Burj Khalifa is saluting the nation's visionary leadership and the spirit of solidarity that marks the 41st National Day celebration, with a spectacular illumination of the global icon featuring the colours of the national flag on the façade of the tower's uppermost levels, until December 7.
The world's tallest building's highest levels will be at its resplendent best every evening through the UAE National Day celebrations in red, green and white, inspired by the national flag colours, gleaming elegantly against the backdrop of the night sky.
Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, the developer of Burj Khalifa, said: "Burj Khalifa is the pride of the nation, an accomplishment that reflects the resourcefulness, dedication and forward looking vision of the country. The iconic tower demonstrates the principles of global collaboration, strategic planning and committed execution, which have also played a key role in the evolution of our nation as a global leader."
DMI renews websites for National Day celebrations
As part of the ongoing 41st UAE National Day celebrations Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) has renewed all its websites and updated contents.
According to a report in Al Bayan, DMI has decorated its websites with the colours of the flag and in keeping with the spirit of the Union, which is derived from the vision of the Late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Heba Al Samt, Head of the new media department at DMI, said DMI has a treasure trove of documentaries since the early days of the Union. The management would publish these to highlight the rich heritage of the nation, she added.
DMI has launched a photo contest, which started on November 25 and will run until December 3 as part of the celebrations.
Wear UAE colours this National Day; Limited editions now available in stores across UAE
Showing the UAE national colours with pride, Giordano has launched special limited edition polo shirts and t-shirts. Giordano pulled a similar stunt last year, which it claims was well received by UAE residents.
"After a fantastic reception from UAE residents for last year's limited edition National Day polo shirts, the National Day 2012 limited editions are making a triumphant return and are now available in store. The shirts are available in the UAE colours of red, white, green and black with bolder designs and more variety," the international apparel retailer said today in a media statement.
To commemorate and celebrate UAE National Day, the UAE polo shirts adapt a sporty look embroidered with the national flag and number 41. The UAE celebrates its 41st commemoration of independence and the eventual unification of the seven emirates into one country.
Dubai Festival City's Light and Water Show
Dubai Festival City Mall is set to launch a spectacular Light and Water Show featuring a blend of light, fire and laser projections that will be inaugurated on December 1, 2012, at Festival Marina. Its many themed presentations will mesmerise visitors throughout a period of three months.
The show will exhibit an iconic 130-metre-wide water feature complemented by two 40-metre-wide giant water screens that project striking laser shows and image presentations. The show will also feature a water fountain that boosts 30-metre-high aquatic displays as well as 20 flame jets that add to its impressive scale.
"The Dubai Festival City Mall Light and Water Show is in line with Dubai's vision of continuously offering residents and visitors alike highly innovative entertainment concepts of an international stature.
This impressive water feature will light up the sky with fire flames and laser effects that add to the allure of the National Day celebrations at Dubai Festival City," said Murray Bell, Managing Director-Retail & Leisure, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate.
"A plethora of themed displays will celebrate other important occasions on the Dubai calendar, such as festive season, the Dubai Shopping Festival and Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival," he said.
Bell added: "The Dubai Festival City Mall Light and Water show is one of many highly creative attractions that will be hosted at Dubai Festival City, going forward. Our objective is to constantly provide all our guests from the UAE and beyond with an ongoing festive atmosphere."
The Dubai Festival City Mall Light and Water show will be hosted from December 1, 2012 until February 28, 2013.
Parade in Downtown Dubai to herald in UAE National Day
Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties will herald in the UAE National Day celebrations with the second Downtown Dubai Parade, National Day, organised in partnership with the Dubai Events & Promotions Establishment (DEPE), on December 2, from 3pm to 5pm, along the Emaar Boulevard.
Celebrating the sterling achievements of the UAE by integrating the multicultural diversity of Dubai, the Downtown Dubai Parade, National Day will feature a colourful canvas of traditional and international floats, live entertainment, heritage and cultural activities.
UAE residents are encouraged to line the route and wave flags in Downtown Dubai, underscoring the truest essence of Dubai's celebrations.
From highlighting the progress that the nation has made over the last four decades, its ambitions to push the frontiers to achieve excellence, to the spirit of global collaboration that has made Dubai a world city, the Downtown Dubai Parade, National Day will salute the camaraderie and solidarity that has made the UAE a cultural melting pot and home to over 200 nationalities.
Laila Mohd Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of DEPE, added: "The Downtown Dubai Parade, National Day is a true celebration of the achievements of the UAE and brings together public and private sector entities to pay rich tribute to our visionary leadership. With this colourful event, Dubai is underlining its focus on organising festivities and celebrations that put the spotlight on our strengths as an events destination, thus building on Dubai's position as the 'IEFA World Festival and Event City.'"
Dress up your car to win Dh100k
UAE residents will win Dh100, 000 in prizes for decorating the best vehicles on the National Day parade.
Abu Dhabi's Yas Island Leisure Drive will come alive in a sea of red, white, black and green patriotism during a Union Car Parade to mark the UAE's 41st National Day on December 2, as thousands of creatively-dressed cars and 4x4s blare their horns and vie for shares of a Dh100, 000 "Best Decorated" vehicle competition.
With an eye-catching top prize of Dh25,000 and Dh20,000 for second place, the Union Car Parade is expected to draw colourful entries from every corner of the Emirates. The remaining prize fund will be divided into eight additional cash prizes ranging from Dh15,000 to Dh5,000.
"Emiratis are a very patriotic people and many of us are very passionate about cars. These factors align every year for National Day - a momentous celebration where everyone in the country shows off the UAE's colours and comes together as one society under one flag," said Sultan Al Muhairi, General Co-ordinator of 41st National Day Celebrations, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which is organising the competition in partnership with Abu Dhabi Police.
"The Union Car Parade is a community-driven initiative designed to encourage even more nationals and expatriates to decorate their vehicles and get into the spirit of the UAE nation."
The Union Car Parade will start on Yas Island at 5pm. The participating public is being encouraged to arrive at Abu Dhabi's leisure and entertainment district by 2pm to ease traffic congestion and take part in a host of activities. Winners will be announced by 9PM.
With other headline events due to be revealed in coming days, a wide array of National Day themed celebrations will keep children and adults of all ages entertained over the extended holiday weekend. The breakwater opposite Abu Dhabi Corniche and next to Marina Mall will be one of the key activation areas and will feature Emirati theatre shows at Abu Dhabi Theatre (November 26, 28, 30 and December 2), a two-day Sailing Regetta (December 2-3) and a one-off Cultural Festival at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village on National Day.
In an historic first, the exciting programme of events is truly emirate-wide this year and, in addition to several headline activations in Abu Dhabi's heritage heartland of Al Ain, superstar singers from across the Arab world will perform Khaleeji concerts at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), as well as Dalma Island and Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi's culture-rich Western Region on December 1 and 2. Also at ADNEC, the sixth Emirates Palm & Dates Festival runs until December 1.
© Emirates 24|7 2012
