DUBAI 2 December 2018: A statue of the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has been unveiled in India on the eve of the 47th National Day.
The statue was sculpted by Arzan Khambatta, a famous Indian artist, who describes himself an “architect by profession and a sculptor by choice.”
The unveiling of the statue, which will stand as a tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed, took place on the sidelines of the National Day reception in New Delhi, hosted by the UAE Ambassador to India, Dr. Ahmed Albanna.
Khambatta’s works already adorn leading corporate houses, public buildings and many outdoor landmarks in India.
Peace is a key theme in in the artist’s work and the late Sheikh Zayed’s ideals of peace, tolerance and acceptance are reflected in the sculpture unveiled on this auspicious occasion, which coincides with the ‘Year of Zayed’, as the UAE marks the centenary of the birth of its Founding Father.
Etihad Museum displays the UAE flag using 3D lighting
Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) announced that Etihad Museum will be adorned with national colours, using modern technology, as part of the activities and events organised by the authority on the occasion of the UAE’s 47th National Day.
From 1 – 4 December 2018, Dubai Culture will project the UAE flag on the museum using 3D lighting technology from sunset until 2 am. The stunning shows are expected to attract large numbers of Dubai residents and visitors on National Day, especially as the museum is strategically located on the intersection of 2nd December St. and Jumeirah Beach.
To ensure a presentation that reflects this event and Etihad Museum, which was specifically established to recount the story of the Union and the efforts of the Founding Fathers, smart lights and 30,000 3D light projectors will be utilised, marking the first time such technology is applied on a Dubai museum.
During the first three days of December, ‘The Story of the Union’ will be presented during classes of Etihad Museum, recounting the story behind the design of the UAE flag; a showcase of the previous flags before the Union will be displayed; and the importance of the UAE flag for citizens will be highlighted as well as the meanings behind its colours.
Concurrently, ‘The Story of 2nd December’ workshop will be held at the Union House, focussing on the most important event in the history of the UAE, and the flagpole where the flag of the Emirates was raised for the first time. The workshop will also address the most important events that took place on that date as they are important in the establishment of the UAE and in consolidating the national spirit among participants. The main purpose of this workshop, however, will be the creation of a short visual story about the most important events that took place on 2 December 1971.
A social media competition is also organised to encourage the public to visit the museum over three days and take photographs of specific sites in the museum.
UAE carriers fly in formation today
Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai and Air Arabia airlines will be performing a flypast today over the UAE as a centrepiece performance to celebrate the UAE’s 47th National Day and the Year of Zayed.
All four UAE carriers will be taking their flagship aircraft to the skies from 13:00 (local time) and will be flying with the Al Fursan aerobatic display team.
Emirates Airlines encouraged the public to take photos and videos, however, warned not to put the formation at risk by using drones and to comply with all GCAA rules and ‘No Fly Zones’ for Unmanned Aircraft/Drones.
The flypast will be flying across the following emirates at approximately the below times:
- Ras Al Khaimah – 13:40
- Umm Al Qaiwain – 13:48
- Sharjah Corniche – 13:52
- Dubai – Jumeirah 1 – 13:55 Dubai – Palm Jumeirah/Atlantis- 13:58
- Abu Dhabi – Ghantoot – 14:03 Abu Dhabi – Louvre – 14:12 Abu Dhabi Corniche – 14:15 Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque- 14:25
KhalifaSat captures “Year of Zayed” logo from space
KhalifaSat, an earth observation satellite built and manufactured by Emirati engineers in the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) facilities, congratulates people of the UAE with a capture of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan picture from space.
The picture of the late founder of the UAE was part of the “Year of Zayed” logo sent by Khalifasat to the ground station at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. It was captured while the satellite was passing over the United Arab Emirates from its Low Earth Orbit at about 613 km.
The first image KhalifaSat took was of Palm Jumeirah, when it passed over the UAE on 31 October 2018, two days after Khalifasat was successfully launched from Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.
Largest Digital Greeting
Careem, the ride hailing company and one of biggest technology organizations in the region is creating the region’s largest digital greeting to celebrate the 47th UAE National Day.
On December 2nd, 47 Careem rides will be crossing several main roads to create the iconic commemoration for UAE National Day.
The image used for the greeting, which will appear very much like a map, will show all of Careem’s trips in the area.
The Arabic greeting, will be generated by real ride information across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The data image will be featured as a live animation on a dedicated microsite, www.careemuaenationalday.com.