Puppet show to bring history of UAE alive on stage

Dubai - The puppet show will showcase 45 animal puppets.

A puppet show that tells the history of the UAE and the country's nature conservation efforts will be the highlight of this year's National Day (N-Day) celebrations in the Capital. 
More than 22,000 people are expected witness the Official 47th UAE National Day celebrations at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on December 2. 
Organisers of the event 'This is Zayed. This is the UAE' on Monday said that preparations are underway for the big day and arrangements are almost in place. 
With the celebrations dedicated as tribute to mark the Sheikh Zayed's 100th birthday, 1,500 male and female performers comprising 70 per cent Emiratis, will be entertaining people on a stage built of 20,900 pixels, which required over 4,200 scaffolds to develop. 
Alongside the incredible visual displays, the event will also include live musical performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside 150 Emirati musicians, with poems and music which have been specifically written for the celebrations. 
Renowned artists, musicians and performers from the United Kingdom, Egypt and other nations will also present live performances paying tribute to '47 Glorious Years of Unity.' 
The puppet show titled 'Greening of the desert performance' will see 45 animal puppets, including 18 gazelles, 8 flamingos, 5 Arabia Oryx, 6 Houbara birds, a desert fox and a caracal in a three-minute show that portrays how the UAE is keen on nature conservation. 
Abdulla Al Qubaisi, member of the organising committee, said: "The celebrations will highlight Sheikh Zayed's love for nature and how he sought to protect such for future generations. It will also show how Sheikh Zayed was keen on providing the people of UAE with world class healthcare and education. These are milestones which Sheikh Zayed looked to achieve for the benefit of the entire nation." 
He added that this year's celebrations will also pay tribute to the Foundation of the Union at Saih Al Sidirah, when the late Sheikh Zayed forged a new path for the future of the seven Emirates of the UAE with the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. 
The UAE national costumes designs including those dating way back from the 60s to date will also be shown at the event. The cloth designs include old traditional kandouras, women dresses designed in cotton and silk, and children garments. 
ismail@khaleejtimes.com