Yasalam Festival begins with carnival extravaganza - in pictures

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  People participate in the Yaslam F1 Fan Zone opening parade along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi on November 17, 2016. The Fan Zone is open Thursday and Friday 4pm - 12am and Saturday to Wednesday 5pm - 11pm from November 17 - 27th. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Hundreds of schoolchildren parade in costumes representing the countries that host F1 races, including the UAE, Australia, Mexico, China, Japan and Russia. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Musicians, dancers and stilt walkers entertain the crowds at the Yasalam F1 Fan Zone opening parade along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

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  People participate in the Yasalam Festival opening parade along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Among the highlight of the show was a parade of large puppets — each designed to represent an international race host country. Christopher Pike / The National

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  People participate in the Yaslam F1 Fan Zone opening parade along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

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  The flamboyant, carnival-style parade is part of Yasalam, a series of free community events on the Corniche leading up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 27 . Christopher Pike / The National

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  People participate in the Yasalam Festival opening parade along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

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  The Fan Zone is open Thursday and Friday 4pm - 12am and Saturday to Wednesday 5pm - 11pm from November 17 - 27th. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Onlookers were treated to a carnival extravaganza on the Corniche on Thursday as the 11-day Yasalam Festival started, signalling the lead up to the F1 Grand Prix in the capital.

› Read the full story here: Yasalam Festival opens in Abu Dhabi with carnival-style parade