Across Abu Dhabi's Corniche, out in Al Wathba desert and in Dubai, spectacular fireworks illuminated the sky.
People watched from balconies and windows this year and even streamed the displays from the comfort of their homes.
It marked the end of a day of celebrations for the UAE’s 49th National Day but somehow it felt more than that.
As the fireworks lingered brightly in the evening sky, it seemed the gloom of 2020 and Covid-19 had lifted for the first time.
Across the country, large gatherings were eschewed but Emiratis and residents still came together in spirit to make sure the day was honoured.
The socially-distanced theme was central to Seeds of the Nation – an immersive performance created by designer Es Devlin, who was behind the London Olympics closing ceremony and the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. It traced the growth of a seed that mirrored the rapid growth of the country. Centred around a revolving stage with fireworks lighting up the Abu Dhabi skyline in the background, the show honoured the frontline workers who battled the Covid-19 pandemic, traced the UAE's growing space programme, plans to build the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island and showed how the country supports people with disabilities. People could not attend in person this year but the show was beamed to millions in the UAE and even more across the globe.
During the day, Emiratis and residents also did their best to celebrate the holiday, and a few days off work, while observing safety measures. Children waved UAE flags in the Dubai desert, residents enjoyed quiet moments by the beach, sports fans watched cricket in Sharjah and everyone celebrated in a different but no less meaningful way than any year before.
The UAE’s 49th National Day also brought moments of joy for parents who welcomed newborns. National Day will also be even more significant in the lives of Ahmed Alkhajeh and Afra Saeed. The Emirati couple welcomed their first child into the world a little after midnight at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi. Little Khalifa Ahmed Alkhajeh weighed 2.7kg.
“We have been longing for this since Afra became pregnant,” said Mr Alkhajeh. “This is our first child and hence the entire family has been waiting for this day.
“It is a blessing that the child has been born when the nation as a whole is celebrating.”
The UAE’s Mother of the Nation, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, said celebrating National Day brought back precious memories of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.
Sheikha Fatima, who is also chairwoman of the General Women's Union and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, said Sheikh Zayed and the other Rulers established a country that had wowed the world.
"As we end a federal year full of hard work, giving, achievements and cultural gains at local, regional and international levels, we will enter a new year while reinforcing our efforts, promoting co-operation, uniting our visions and committing to our values that led to the success of our beloved country," said Sheikha Fatima, who was the wife of Sheikh Zayed.
The UAE's leaders, who attended the Seeds of the Nation show, noted the challenges the year had brought but also looked ahead. The President, Sheikh Khalifa, said despite the significant losses of life and finances this year, the pandemic underlined "the efficiency of our healthcare system, [and] how prepared our country is in the face of emergencies and crises". The country was looking to the future, he said and it was a call reinforced by the other leaders.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said the UAE's 49th National Day marked a milestone in the country's march to an even brighter future.
Also turning to the pandemic, Sheikh Mohamed said not only had the UAE dealt with Covid-19, it helped other countries do so as well
"The UAE believes that this crisis will pass and what is important is to not only tackle it effectively, but also have the ability to deal with the situation once the pandemic is over," said Sheikh Mohamed.
And as the fireworks lit up the UAE, it was only right that thoughts turned to next year when everyone hopes for a better time as the country celebrates 50 years.
More on Quran memorisation:
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
|
Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
|
Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBhuvan%20Bam%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbhuvan.bam22%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%2016.1%20million%3Cbr%3EBhuvan%20Bam%20is%20a%2029-year-old%20comedian%20and%20actor%20from%20Delhi%2C%20who%20started%20out%20with%20YouTube%20channel%2C%20%E2%80%9CBB%20Ki%20Vines%E2%80%9D%20in%202015%2C%20which%20propelled%20the%20social%20media%20star%20into%20the%20limelight%20and%20made%20him%20sought-after%20among%20brands.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EKusha%20Kapila%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fkushakapila%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%203.1%20million%3Cbr%3EKusha%20Kapila%20is%20a%20fashion%20editor%20and%20actress%2C%20who%20has%20collaborated%20with%20brands%20including%20Google.%20She%20focuses%20on%20sharing%20light-hearted%20content%20and%20insights%20into%20her%20life%20as%20a%20rising%20celebrity.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDiipa%20Khosla%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fdiipakhosla%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%201.8%20million%3Cbr%3EDiipa%20Khosla%20started%20out%20as%20a%20social%20media%20manager%20before%20branching%20out%20to%20become%20one%20of%20India's%20biggest%20fashion%20influencers%2C%20with%20collaborations%20including%20MAC%20Cosmetics.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EKomal%20Pandey%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fkomalpandeyofficial%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%201.8%20million%3Cbr%3EKomal%20Pandey%20is%20a%20fashion%20influencer%20who%20has%20partnered%20with%20more%20than%20100%20brands%2C%20including%20Olay%20and%20smartphone%20brand%20Vivo%20India.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENikhil%20Sharma%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fnikkkhil%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%201.4%20million%3Cbr%3ENikhil%20Sharma%20from%20Mumbai%20began%20his%20online%20career%20through%20vlogs%20about%20his%20motorcycle%20trips.%20He%20has%20become%20a%20lifestyle%20influencer%20and%20has%20created%20his%20own%20clothing%20line.%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Hireinfluence%2C%20various%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
