UAE's official 50th National Day celebrations to take place in Hatta

The UAE's official 50th National Day celebrations will take place in Hatta on December 2, say the committee organising the country's Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

A spectacular theatrical show will be broadcast live on December 2 at 5.30pm from a striking, natural location near the town.

The Official 50th UAE National Day celebration will feature a spectacular show highlighting the deep connections between people, nature and technology

Shaikha Al Ketbi,
Year of the 50th

People will be able to watch it on the country’s National Day website and all local TV channels.

Afterwards, an event celebrating the country's history will be open to the public from December 4 to 12.

Limited tickets are available to buy now from UAENationalDay.ae.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, celebrated the decision.

“National Day Celebrations, a representation of our culture and identity from all parts of our country,” he said on Twitter, as he posted a video of the announcement.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said on Twitter: "Our Official 50th National Day Celebration will be set this year in Hatta.

"Across the nation we continue to pursue our ambitions with optimism, confidence and a steadfast determination, building on our strong foundations to create a promising future for the next 50 years."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, said on Twitter: “27 days left to our 50th National Day celebration in the heart of Hatta.”

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said: ”Our Emirates celebrates its 50th National Day this year amidst the mesmerising nature of Hatta.

"A historic day that marks a milestone for our country’s achievements. We pay tribute to the past 50 years of the founding of our country and together work towards the centenary.”

A celebration of nature

Hatta dam is one of the UAE's most-loved attractions UAE. Photo: Alamy

Shaikha Al Ketbi, head of creative strategy for the Year of the 50th, said: “The Official 50th UAE National Day celebration will feature a spectacular show highlighting the deep connections between people, nature and technology.”

She said the theatrical experience will take viewers on a journey and teach them more about the UAE's history.

“Through unparalleled creative and artistic storytelling, the show will also shed light on the achievements of today and offer a unique glimpse into the promising future that awaits everyone who calls the UAE home," said Ms Al Ketbi.

Equidistant from all seven emirates, Hatta has grown in stature in recent years, thanks to several notable development projects.

The town boasts a striking natural landscape of mountains, dams, lakes and valleys dotted between historical monuments.

Last month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid revealed a comprehensive development plan for the town that includes the construction of a beach and a new lake, transport systems for the mountain slopes, a funicular and the longest mountain walk in the Emirates.

The projects were unveiled as part of a 20-year Hatta Master Development Plan.

Future of Hatta - in pictures

The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?

George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.

Hunting park to luxury living

Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.

Poland Statement

All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.

The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.

All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.

No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.