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
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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.
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The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia