People arrive for the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People arrive for the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People arrive for the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People arrive for the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dates for Sheikh Zayed Festival's return announced


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Zayed Festival is set to return for another four-month run.

The annual event takes place in Al Wathba region, about a 50-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's Corniche. It will begin on November 17 and run until March 9.

The agenda for this year will feature a wide range of events, programmes and activations that focus on heritage and keeping current generations linked to the country’s history.

New to the festival will be a Union Parade that aims to reflect the Emirati's sense of belonging and loyalty to leadership and unity that brings the country closer together.

There will also be National Day celebrations that include special shows and performances at the Heritage Village and international pavilions such as folk art shows, military musical performances, fireworks and drone displays.

Elsewhere, there will be an agricultural excellence award; a rare species reserve; Al Wathba Custom Show; the Children’s City; the Fun Fair City; the Glow Flower Garden; the House of Fear; an art district; and various competitions and draws.

The festival takes place in a venue that resembles a fort. Past events have featured international cultural pavilions, eclectic music performances and amusement park rides. However, details have yet to be revealed for this year’s programme.

The event is named in honour of the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and showcases the rich diversity of its traditions and educates visitors about the legacy of the nation’s founder and the UAE’s arts, crafts, customs and food.

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The BIO

Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.

Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.

Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.

Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.

Klopp at the Kop

Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82

  • Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
  • Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
  • Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
  • Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

Results

5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m

Winner Spirit Of Light, Clement Lecoeuvre (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer)

6.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner Bright Start, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor

6.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 2,000m

Winner Twelfthofneverland, Nathan Crosse, Satish Seemar

7.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Imperial Empire, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

7.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m

Winner Record Man, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

8.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,600m

Winner Celtic Prince, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly

WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

Final scores

18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)

- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)

-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)

-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)

-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)

-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
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Updated: November 10, 2023, 8:21 AM`