• Hatta in Dubai will be the site for the Official 50th UAE National Day celebration to mark the nation’s Golden Jubilee. Photo: UAE Golden Jubilee Committee
    Hatta in Dubai will be the site for the Official 50th UAE National Day celebration to mark the nation’s Golden Jubilee. Photo: UAE Golden Jubilee Committee
  • On December 2 a spectacular theatrical show will take viewers on a journey through the land's history. The show will be open to the public for nine days from December 4 until December 12. Photo: Wam
    On December 2 a spectacular theatrical show will take viewers on a journey through the land's history. The show will be open to the public for nine days from December 4 until December 12. Photo: Wam
  • Equidistant from all the seven emirates, Hatta features natural wonders and a scenic landscape with dams, lakes and valleys dotted with historical monuments. Photo: Wam
    Equidistant from all the seven emirates, Hatta features natural wonders and a scenic landscape with dams, lakes and valleys dotted with historical monuments. Photo: Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Hatta Master Development Plan in October 2021. Photo: Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Hatta Master Development Plan in October 2021. Photo: Wam
  • The plan is to transform Hatta into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: Wam
    The plan is to transform Hatta into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: Wam
  • The Hatta Master Development Plan includes a cable-driven mountain railway. Photo: Wam
    The Hatta Master Development Plan includes a cable-driven mountain railway. Photo: Wam

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


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

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
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 Hatta Beach Project will create new investment opportunities for the region's private sector.
    The Hatta Beach Project will create new investment opportunities for the region's private sector.
  • The Hatta Beach Project aims to transform the area into a year-round tourist destination.
    The Hatta Beach Project aims to transform the area into a year-round tourist destination.
  • The development plan includes a five-year plan (2022-2026) to construct tracks for bicycles and scooters in a 120 km network.
    The development plan includes a five-year plan (2022-2026) to construct tracks for bicycles and scooters in a 120 km network.
  • A waterfall and mountain viewing platform also feature in the development plan. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    A waterfall and mountain viewing platform also feature in the development plan. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Hatta has in recent years been transformed into an adventure getaway, with mountain biking and kayaking among the most popular activities. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Hatta has in recent years been transformed into an adventure getaway, with mountain biking and kayaking among the most popular activities. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • The Hatta Master Development Plan aims to turn the area into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: WAM
    The Hatta Master Development Plan aims to turn the area into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: WAM
  • The project will create investment spaces and facilities, services, and activities for tourists in waterfront areas that will contribute to increasing visitor numbers for Hatta.
    The project will create investment spaces and facilities, services, and activities for tourists in waterfront areas that will contribute to increasing visitor numbers for Hatta.
  • A mountainside health resort will be built as part of the development plan.
    A mountainside health resort will be built as part of the development plan.
  • The resort will provide tourists opportunities to practise sports and activities that are suitable to Hatta’s terrain.
    The resort will provide tourists opportunities to practise sports and activities that are suitable to Hatta’s terrain.
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Hatta Master Development Plan. Photo: WAM
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Hatta Master Development Plan. Photo: WAM
  • A lake and cable-driven mountain railway are also slated for the mountain town. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    A lake and cable-driven mountain railway are also slated for the mountain town. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Hatta Master Development Plan includes a cable-driven mountain railway
    Hatta Master Development Plan includes a cable-driven mountain railway
  • The first-of-its-kind funicular (cable railway) transport system for tourists will connect the Hatta dam site with its car parking area.
    The first-of-its-kind funicular (cable railway) transport system for tourists will connect the Hatta dam site with its car parking area.
  • The plan includes tracks for bicycles and scooters in a 120 km network connecting key attractions and residential areas.
    The plan includes tracks for bicycles and scooters in a 120 km network connecting key attractions and residential areas.
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, pictured with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, in Hatta. Photo: WAM
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, pictured with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, in Hatta. Photo: WAM
  • The Hatta plan aims to turn the area into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: WAM
    The Hatta plan aims to turn the area into an attractive local and international destination for business, investment and tourism. Photo: WAM
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with notables including Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at Hatta. Photo: WAM
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with notables including Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at Hatta. Photo: WAM
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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%3Cp%3EBy%202030%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%20aims%20to%20achieve%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2039.3%20million%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20nearly%2064%25%20up%20from%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20Dh90%20billion%20contribution%20to%20GDP%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2084%25%20more%20than%20Dh49%20billion%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20178%2C000%20new%20jobs%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20bringing%20the%20total%20to%20about%20366%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2052%2C000%20hotel%20rooms%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20up%2053%25%20from%2034%2C000%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%207.2%20million%20international%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20almost%2090%25%20higher%20compared%20to%202023's%203.8%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%203.9%20international%20overnight%20hotel%20stays%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2022%25%20more%20from%203.2%20nights%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECBDC%20real-value%20pilot%20held%20with%20three%20partner%20institutions%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20buy%20now%2C%20pay%20later%20regulations%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20for%20the%202023%20launch%20of%20the%20domestic%20card%20initiative%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPhase%20one%20of%20the%20Financial%20Infrastructure%20Transformation%20(FiT)%20completed%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

W.
Wael Kfoury
(Rotana)

Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre 

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Updated: November 11, 2021, 10:53 AM