• People join in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the creation of the United Arab Emirates as they gather for a program of military and artistic parade on Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. (Silvia Razgova/The National)
    People join in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the creation of the United Arab Emirates as they gather for a program of military and artistic parade on Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. (Silvia Razgova/The National)
  • Members of the Armed Forces march past. Silvia Razgova/The National
    Members of the Armed Forces march past. Silvia Razgova/The National
  • Dancers and acrobats perform at the National Day show in Zayed Sports City. Silvia Razgova/The National
    Dancers and acrobats perform at the National Day show in Zayed Sports City. Silvia Razgova/The National
  • 40,000 spectators were present at the elaborate show. Silvia Razgova/The National
    40,000 spectators were present at the elaborate show. Silvia Razgova/The National
  • Preparations for the show had begun even before Ramadan. Silvia Razgova/The National
    Preparations for the show had begun even before Ramadan. Silvia Razgova/The National
  • The UAE Army march past at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National
    The UAE Army march past at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National
  • Revellers enjoy the performance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Revellers enjoy the performance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, waves to the crowd at the start of the official ceremony for the 40th National Day at Zayed Sport City in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, waves to the crowd at the start of the official ceremony for the 40th National Day at Zayed Sport City in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces joins the dancers for a traditional sword dance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces joins the dancers for a traditional sword dance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Children perform at the show. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Children perform at the show. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Life-sized camel puppets enthrall the audience at the show. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Life-sized camel puppets enthrall the audience at the show. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • The stands had begun filling in by 3 pm in the afternoon, directed by an army of volunteers. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    The stands had begun filling in by 3 pm in the afternoon, directed by an army of volunteers. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • The crowd fell silent as historic footage from the day the union was formed was projected on the screen. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    The crowd fell silent as historic footage from the day the union was formed was projected on the screen. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • The breathtaking spectacle employed pyrotechnics, puppets, elaborate costumes and hundreds of dancers who told the story of the UAE over the last 40 years in just under three hours. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    The breathtaking spectacle employed pyrotechnics, puppets, elaborate costumes and hundreds of dancers who told the story of the UAE over the last 40 years in just under three hours. Abdullah Al Junaibi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, attend the celebrations. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, attend the celebrations. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

UAE

In pictures: National Day ceremony at Zayed Sport City

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