Theatres, parks and shopping centres across the seven emirates will stage National Day events throughout the week to celebrate 38 years of unification. The festivities will include cultural competitions, plays, military music shows and storytelling sessions. Many emirates will stage parades during the day and fireworks shows at night. The largest fireworks display will be at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The pyrotechnics, shot from barges parked in the water near the hotel, will be synchronised with music.
The Syrian National Orchestra and the Ornina Theater Dancing band will perform on Thursday at the National Theatre of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development. Celebrations in Al Ain began yesterday at the garden city's heritage village in Al Qattara district. "This year's celebrations will be better than ever before," said Ali al Muhairi, the deputy head of the municipality's National Day Celebration Committee. "We have built on the success of the National Day celebrations of last year and added surprises that will entertain and educate adults and children of all nationalities about our country's history, culture and heritage."
Yesterday, Dubai Municipality converted Al Khor park into a giant playground featuring horseback riding, bouncy castles and game stalls. The children's features will remain until Sunday. A heritage village with shops for crafts, photography and henna will be open on The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence until Friday. More than 380 chefs from 38 hotels will be on hand to cook a traditional Emirati meal.
Sharjah is holding a "most beautiful decorated building" competition, ending on Friday, and will also feature military music shows at Union Square. Until Saturday, Ajman's Corniche will host evening shows for folk bands as well as a carnival. In Umm al Qaiwain's Al Khor Park, there will be military music shows, folk bands, a cultural competition and the characters of Majid magazine will be around to meet children.
Cultural competitions will also be held in Ras al Khaimah at the cultural centre until Saturday, and an art show will be on display at Saqr Park. Fujairah will host a cultural competition, as well as staging performances from folk bands in Masafi and Daba al Fujairah. The shows will run until Saturday. newsdesk@thenational.ae