• Harry Potter fans at the Back to Hogwarts event at King's Cross Station in London. PA
    Harry Potter fans at the Back to Hogwarts event at King's Cross Station in London. PA
  • A live performance from the West End cast of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'. PA
    A live performance from the West End cast of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'. PA
  • The crowds show their appreciation at the event. PA
    The crowds show their appreciation at the event. PA
  • Harry Potter fans in costume gather to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first book's release, at King's Cross Station in London. EPA
    Harry Potter fans in costume gather to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first book's release, at King's Cross Station in London. EPA
  • A Daniel Radcliffe lookalike entertains fans. EPA
    A Daniel Radcliffe lookalike entertains fans. EPA
  • A Harry Potter fan poses at Platform Nine and Three Quarters at King's Cross Station in London. EPA
    A Harry Potter fan poses at Platform Nine and Three Quarters at King's Cross Station in London. EPA
  • J. K. Rowling's series of books has sold more than 600 million copies worldwide. EPA
    J. K. Rowling's series of books has sold more than 600 million copies worldwide. EPA
  • Harry Potter fans raise their wands. EPA
    Harry Potter fans raise their wands. EPA
  • The Harry Potter books have been translated into more than 80 languages and turned into eight films. PA
    The Harry Potter books have been translated into more than 80 languages and turned into eight films. PA

Culture

Books

Hundreds of Harry Potter fans head to London King's Cross station for anniversary event

Crowds of people, some dressed in costumes, descended on the railway hub, which had a memorable role in the first book

David Tusing

September 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Harry Potter fans were treated to a magical event at London King's Cross station on Thursday, while celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of J K Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Back to Hogwarts welcomed hundreds of people to the fictional Platform 9 3⁄4, with some dressed up as characters from the novels. There, a specially made departure board was lit up and announcements were made ahead of the Hogwarts Express's 11am departure.

The event brought to life scenes from the original book, where young witches and wizards venture onto the platform to board the train to Hogwarts school.

There were also wand combat workshops as well as a rendition of a wand dance by the West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Fans, young and old, visited London King's Cross station as part of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of first book. PA
Fans, young and old, visited London King's Cross station as part of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of first book. PA

King's Cross station is already a popular tourist attraction for Harry Potter fans, where part of a luggage trolley has been embedded into the wall. The station's platforms four and five were used in the film versions.

Since its release on June 26, 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has sold 120 million copies and counting, while more than 500 million copies of the entire seven-book series have flown off the shelves.

Fans in the UAE can also experience their own Harry Potter magic in Abu Dhabi when the pop-up, Harry Potter: Celebrate Hogwarts, opens next Friday at Abu Dhabi Mall. Running until October 4, the most famous school of witchcraft and wizardry will be brought to life with a series of walk-through activations featuring recreations of popular settings from the films.

Visitors will get the chance to climb Hogwarts's grand staircase, take a seat in the Gryffindor common room and pay Hagrid's hut a visit. There is also a life-sized recreation of the Hogwarts Express to enjoy and a Forbidden Forest to walk through.

The most fervent Potterheads will be able to test their knowledge with trivia quizzes on Saturdays and Sundays, and there will be fun games set up throughout the activation.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the Harry Potter Experience in Dubai in January

  • 'Harry Potter' Hogwarts experience ran at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai earlier this year. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    'Harry Potter' Hogwarts experience ran at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai earlier this year. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The experience is interactive with broomsticks to sit on and games of Quidditch to play.
    The experience is interactive with broomsticks to sit on and games of Quidditch to play.
  • Hagrid's hut is an illusion room, making visitors look much bigger or smaller than each other.
    Hagrid's hut is an illusion room, making visitors look much bigger or smaller than each other.
  • Hogwarts's moving staircases are represented.
    Hogwarts's moving staircases are represented.
  • Try your hand at a potions class, which activates the cauldron and generates a cloud of green smoke.
    Try your hand at a potions class, which activates the cauldron and generates a cloud of green smoke.
  • You can buy robes for your choice of Hogwarts house - Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin.
    You can buy robes for your choice of Hogwarts house - Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin.
  • Try and learn spells with the interactive wand and tutorials.
    Try and learn spells with the interactive wand and tutorials.
  • Guests can try on Gryffindor robes in the house's cosy common room.
    Guests can try on Gryffindor robes in the house's cosy common room.
  • The smoking green cauldron in the potions room.
    The smoking green cauldron in the potions room.
  • 'Harry Potter' merchandise is on sale.
    'Harry Potter' merchandise is on sale.
  • The Harry Potter: Celebrate Hogwarts experience was open during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
    The Harry Potter: Celebrate Hogwarts experience was open during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
  • Get up-close to a model of Dobby the house elf at the Harry Potter: Celebrate Hogwarts experience at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
    Get up-close to a model of Dobby the house elf at the Harry Potter: Celebrate Hogwarts experience at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
  • Catch the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 3/4.
    Catch the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 3/4.
  • There are models of Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter.
    There are models of Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter.

The experience is free to enter, but certain areas will only be accessible with Activity Passports. Shoppers can exchange Abu Dhabi Mall receipts from that day for passports; for every Dh100 spent, shoppers will receive two passports, while for every Dh200 spent they will receive up to five. All Abu Dhabi Mall shops are included, except the hypermarket.

In Dubai, the stage production Potted Potter is set to be shown on October 22 and 23 at the Theatre by QE2. The performance is a condensed retelling of the seven novels, created by, and starring, Olivier Award nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner. The show features all of the series' most popular characters, with a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, a game of Quidditch, comedy costumes, songs and work arounds to bring Hogwarts magic to life.

Scroll through the gallery below for more pictures of Harry Potter books

  • A first edition copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by English author JK Rowling at Bonhams auctioneers in London before the Fine Books, Manuscripts, Atlases and Historical Photographs sale on March 27, 2019. Reuters
    A first edition copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by English author JK Rowling at Bonhams auctioneers in London before the Fine Books, Manuscripts, Atlases and Historical Photographs sale on March 27, 2019. Reuters
  • A rare first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' signed by author JK Rowling on show at Christie's auction house in London. Reuters
    A rare first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' signed by author JK Rowling on show at Christie's auction house in London. Reuters
  • JK Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' came out on June 26, 1997. Reuters
    JK Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' came out on June 26, 1997. Reuters
  • 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by English author JK Rowling was introduced to American readers as 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'. Reuters
    'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by English author JK Rowling was introduced to American readers as 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'. Reuters
  • 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by English author JK Rowling was the first book in a series of seven and the beginning of a multimedia phenomenon. PA
    'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by English author JK Rowling was the first book in a series of seven and the beginning of a multimedia phenomenon. PA
  • 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is the second book in the series by JK Rowling. Photo: Bloomsbury
    'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is the second book in the series by JK Rowling. Photo: Bloomsbury
  • The third book in JK Rowling's series was 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. Photo: Scholastic
    The third book in JK Rowling's series was 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. Photo: Scholastic
  • ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ came next. Reuters
    ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ came next. Reuters
  • A young reader holds a copy of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', the fifth book of the series. Reuters
    A young reader holds a copy of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', the fifth book of the series. Reuters
  • Polly-Jane Cunningham and Harriet Bryant, both avid Harry Potter fans, were among the first in Abu Dhabi to view the sixth film 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' on Thursday, July 16, 2009. Delores Johnson / The National
    Polly-Jane Cunningham and Harriet Bryant, both avid Harry Potter fans, were among the first in Abu Dhabi to view the sixth film 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' on Thursday, July 16, 2009. Delores Johnson / The National
  • 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' by JK Rowling is the final book in the series.
    'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' by JK Rowling is the final book in the series.
School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

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Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

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Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

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