Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 4 December, 2017 6:55 am |

Honouring the historical moment when the seven emirates came together to form one nation, the UAE National Day Celebrations is one the most significant in the country’s annual calendar. It is a time of national pride and all emirates, including the UAE’s cultural capital – Sharjah – teem with nationalistic fervour and festive revelry.

 

On Saturday, Sharjah’s popular lakefront leisure destination, Al Majaz Waterfront, put together a variety of entertainment and festivities for the emirate’s citizens and residents to honour the UAE’s proud heritage. The beautifully decorated waterfront sported the colours of the UAE flag, lights and elaborate embellishments. A cultural programme at Fountain Piazza Walkway featuring traditional dances of Ayalah, Liwa and Bahriya, and other heritage-themed activities entertained visitors.

 

The Sharjah Fountain, which has been updated with two new shows recently – part of the 53,000 sqft Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)’s recent expansion works – remained one of the central attractions with its presentation of stunning water formations, which danced to patriotic tunes and shot up into the sky lit up in a rainbow of colours.

 

Pizzaro, an Italian eatery at the Al Majaz Waterfront, stole the show with a 2-metre long pizza, the biggest flag-shaped pizza ever baked in the UAE, to add an authentic taste to the UAE’s 46th National Day celebrations. Too large to be accommodated within the restaurant, the pizza was displayed on its terrace for all to view.

 

“The Al Majaz Waterfront is much more than a leisure destination; it is a community icon, a place where citizens, residents and tourists have been coming to feel refreshed and energised. The spirit of oneness and brotherhood are very important to us as a nation, and through the National Day celebrations here at Al Majaz, we hope we were able to bring the community together, rekindle their spirit of nationalism, and remind everyone about the shared commitment we owe our great country,” said Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Manager of Majaz Waterfront. 

 

“Be it a walk alongside the lake, a cup of tea with friends, or a big weekend feast with family, Majaz Waterfront is an integral part of the UAE life. Our endeavor is to give our visitors unforgettable memories. We hope the National Day celebrations will give them some to reminisce for a long time to come,” he added.

 

A key leisure destination among UAE residents and a popular tourist attraction for overseas visitors, Al Majaz Waterfront hosts a variety of artistic and entertainment activities throughout the year, including film screenings, stage shows and its renowned New Year’s Eve fireworks. The facility is also home to the Maraya Art Centre – an internationally recognised platform for art projects and exhibitions.