Abu Dhabi lights up with spectacular fireworks display for National Day

Thousands of people turned out in Abu Dhabi on Thursday as a spectacular fireworks display capped off an incredible day of celebrations for the UAE's Golden Jubilee.

Crowds cheered as the dazzling drone and pyrotechnics show lit up the sky as the UAE turned 50.

Groups gathered on the Corniche and across the capital in advance of the setpiece moment.

“It was great, very special,” said Liguri Jego, from France who was with his wife and child at the Corniche.

“Every time we thought it was over, there was more. It really was beautiful to watch.”

Grand fireworks light up the night sky along Abu Dhabi's Corniche for UAE at 50 celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Trit Kiriratnikom, from Thailand, agreed. "It was amazing and spectacular," he said. "It’s very peaceful and safe and my son really enjoys living here. I have no doubt the country is still capable of a lot, we’re looking forward to it.”

The festivities started early in the day. At Sheikha Fatima Park, which officially opened to the public on National Day, Dr Nisma Mohammad brought her four children to take part in celebrations and watch the fireworks

The future has only just begun

Saif Al Ali

"We’ve lived in the UAE for 6 years so these celebrations mean a lot to us," she said.

Inside the park, families rested on green bean bags and shared food, while a performer played soothing tunes on a guitar. By sunset a carnival atmosphere had developed with the good weather adding to the happy vibes.

“There’s been a vast change over the years," said Maria Lyka, from the Philippines, who has lived in the UAE for the past 10 years. She said she encourages her two boys, aged 7 and 8, to take part in National Day celebrations.

"Every National Day, we make it a point that we have to buy something symbolic. Just a small gesture to say thank you to the UAE," she said.

"This year we bought them t-shirts and caps with the UAE 50 logo."

Just down the road, Abu Dhabi’s Corniche was thronged with families with not a single car space left. People adhered to Covid-19 restrictions but, for the first time since the pandemic began, it felt normal life had returned. Many had set up picnics on the side of the road, drinking coffee, munching on snacks and watching decorated car parades pass by.

“Every year we come to Corniche, except for last year because of Covid restrictions," said Angelie Filosoto, 41, from the Philippines.

"I lived here for 12 years. The UAE is my second home and I'm excited to be part of it.”

Saif Al Ali, 20, an Emirati, said he was very proud. "There’s still a lot more we’re going to do. The future has only just begun," said Mr Al Ali.

Pomp and pageantry were not reserved for just the Corniche, however.

From historic cars to classic songs and crafts, the UAE’s Golden Jubilee was celebrated at one of the UAE’s oldest structures, Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. Cody Combs / The National

One of the oldest structures in Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, was transformed to honour the UAE turning fifty.

Music, arts, crafts and even classic automobiles were on display at the Al Hosn festival representing the UAE’s journey from the last 50 years.

As traditional songs were sung throughout the evening, the sound of stamping of passports could be heard throughout the venue. The passports, similar to the idea of the Expo 2020 passports, allowed visitors to commemorate visiting areas of the festival.

“I love meeting new people,” said Alyazia, a volunteer for the festival helping to pass out and stamp the passports. “I’m really enjoying the celebrations and I’m doing it to give back to my community.”

She reflected on how the celebrations taking place amid one of the oldest buildings in the UAE helped to reinforce the the nation’s path.

“We kind of forget our traditions and our culture as we get older,” she added. “So this helps take us back 50 years ago, it really helps remind me.”

The festivities also stretched to Al Wathba, where the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival marked the UAE’s 50th anniversary.

A special "Year of 50" area showcased rare photos and video of the UAE and the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. Fireworks, music, food and crafts were also in abundance at the annual festival as the UAE celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Saudi Cup race day

Schedule in UAE time

5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?

Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

COMPANY%20PROFILE

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport

Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial

Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 760Nm

Price: Dh898,000

On sale: now

While you're here

Hussein Ibish: Biden's Covid-19 bill might be his most powerful political weapon

Thomas Helm: Billionaires are having a worse pandemic than you might think

Simon Rushton: Pandemic wealth uplift for 10 richest men could 'vaccinate everyone'

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

A second lockdown will be especially tough in cold countries

Hard-hit Canada is springing back to the cliched 'new normal'

Justin Trudeau 2.0 will need to take all of Canada with him

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima

Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

Specs – Taycan 4S

Engine: Electric

Transmission: 2-speed auto

Power: 571bhp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh431,800

Specs – Panamera

Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor

Transmission: 2-speed auto

Power: 455bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: from Dh431,800

Despacito's dominance in numbers

Released: 2017

Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon

Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube

Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification

Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.

Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards

Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching