Al Maryah Island, a leading business and lifestyle destination in Abu Dhabi, is celebrating the UAE’s 46th National Day on December 1 and 2 with a colourful display of fireworks, live cultural performances and festive activities.

Al Maryah Island’s stunning waterfront Promenade will be transformed to resemble the era of the union’s early days. Overall giving a traditional look and feel, the perimeter will feature architectural installations of traditional Arabic houses (Barajeel) to reflect the rich Emirati heritage of the UAE. Situated alongside the Promenade, the luxury shopping and dining destination, The Galleria, will host families and friends with true Arabic hospitality, serving traditional Gahwa (Coffee), dates, and more, as they relax in an authentic Arabic setting.

Visitors of all ages are welcome to enjoy live cultural performances, food trucks, traditional photo booths, and live stage performances from Ayalla, Habriya, and Yollaband. To ignite the celebrations, guests will enjoy the colourful fireworks display on the waterfront.

One of the highlights includes a fun photo booth allowing visitors to get a taste of being a local Emirati dressed in an Abaya or Kendora, giving them a fun keepsake to take home or share on social media. Other activities include henna and sand artists, caricature drawings, and calligraphy.

The public event will feature a dedicated kids' area that includes UAE flag and Burqa making, camel sculpturing, face painting and National Day-themed cookie decorating. A selection of prominent UAE companies, who are also Al Maryah Island tenants, have joined forces to sponsor the occasion and highlight their support for the celebrations.

Ali Eid Al Mheiri, executive director, Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure, said: “Al Maryah Island is proud to be celebrating the 46th UAE National Day. We look forward to welcoming visitors from Abu Dhabi and beyond to mark this very special occasion, and hosting a truly memorable celebration.”

Dhaher Bin Dhaher Al Mheiri, CEO of Registration Authority, Abu Dhabi Global Market said: “The 2nd of December is a day to remember with pride the declaration of the Federation of the UAE, it is also a day to recall with gratitude the founder of our modern renaissance, the late Shaikh Zayed Al Nahyan, and the fellow founding fathers, for laying the solid building blocks of a country that has marked many achievements throughout these late 46 years. I am honoured to be celebrating this day with Al Maryah Island community, reflecting our unity, progress and national sovereignty.”

Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, chief executive officer, Mubadala Petroleum, said: ‘’ Mubadala Petroleum are happy to join the UAE National celebrations with our colleagues at Al Maryah Island, there is a great value in collaborating and showing the nation's unity spirit in such occasions, where we can come together as one community to express our love, loyalty and belonging to the UAE and its great leadership, as well as remember and honour our brave soldiers and faithful martyrs for their sacrifices for our country.”

Adel Albuainain, chief executive officer, Dolphin Energy Limited, said “Marking the birth of the UAE instils so much pride because we have so much to celebrate. We use UAE National Day to highlight our achievements and to honour our history and heritage. The Spirit of the Union galvanizes all citizens and residents of the UAE and I would like to congratulate everyone on this special occasion.”

Saif Al Qubaisi, director general, Regulation and Supervision Bureau, said: “We are delighted to join our colleagues in the Al Maryah Island to celebrate an occasion that is dear to all – the UAE National Day – where we express through this celebration our loyalty, pride and love to our country and its wise leadership. Our joint efforts are a reflection of our value of unity and visitors to the event will experience the spirit of the union.”

The National Day celebrations will conclude on December 2 with music band performances and a four-minute-long fireworks show at 9pm. – TradeArabia News Service