See the 2006 film Nos Jours Heureux (Those Happy Days) as part of Ciné Day La Nouveauté, a concept by Alliance Française Dubai that presents a relatively new French film to help broaden French cinematographic culture. Vincent (Jean-Paul Rouve) opens a summer camp in the French countryside, complete with unruly campers and crazy counsellors who need more supervision than the kids. In French with English subtitles. Tuesday, June 28 at 8pm, free entry, auditorium, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712, www.afdubai.org
Catch the exhibition Ramadanization and see works by 10 artists who reflect on their own significant memories of Ramadan, highlighting shared experiences and recognisable elements, including the iftar table and being on one's best behaviour. Open 9am to 10pm, Gallery of Light, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777, www.ductac.org
View Abu Dhabi and its skyline from the perspective and comfort of the Jalboot passenger ferry that links major tourist destinations and landmarks, including Abu Dhabi Mall, Yas Marina, Etihad Towers and Al Bandar. Leaves Abu Dhabi Mall at 4pm and returns at 8pm, from Dh150 for adult round-trip ticket, Abu Dhabi, www.jalboot.ae
Send the kids to Kartdrome Camp. Gulf Star Sports offers children ages 7 to 15 an adrenaline-fuelled summer of go-karting, laser tag, simulators, billiards, video games, team games and competitions. Opens today and runs until August 25, 9am to 1pm, Sundays to Thursdays, from Dh1,150, Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, info@gulfstarsports.com, 050 429 4860
Get tickets to see Benjamin Schmid and Ariane Haering. As part of Emirates NBD Classics V, enjoy a performance by the Austrian violinist Schmid and the Swiss pianist Haering. September 9, doors open at 7.15pm, concert begins at 8pm, from Dh150, Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. www.platinumlist.net
listings@thenational.ae
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
