The world’s largest fountain will be displayed for the final time this weekend in Dubai.
The Palm Fountain, at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah, will close on Monday, it has been announced.
Its last shows will take place on Saturday and Sunday evening, The Pointe said on its official Instagram page.
“Watch the final fountain shows this weekend at The Pointe as the Palm Fountain will be closing on Monday, May 15th. Don't miss out and join us with your friends and family from Friday to Sunday,” the Instagram post read.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Nakheel told The National: "After careful consideration and planning, The Fountain at The Pointe is closing on Monday, May 15. We will update you with further information in due course. Nakheel remains committed to providing the best experiences possible to citizens, residents and visitors of Dubai.”
The Palm Fountain, spanning 14,000 square metres split across the east and west wings of The Pointe, opened in October 2020.
The two fountains feature 128 super shooters, capable of firing water more than 100 metres into the air, as well as 3,000 LED lights, which change colour as the fountains dance to music.
Upon its opening, it was officially named the world’s largest fountain by Guinness World Records, taking the title from the Dubai Fountain in Downtown Dubai, which formerly held the number one spot.
The fountain launched with a 20-song catalogue, featuring a mixture of classic and contemporary tracks spanning Arabic, Indian, Russian, Chinese, English and American numbers. And, in what was a world first, the show also featured Disney songs.
It has since played host to several special light shows, including for the UAE National Day and the Irish St Patrick’s Day. The final shows will play at half-hour intervals from sunset onwards.
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Directed by: Robby Grewal
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
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Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
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Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.