Hatta hosts UAE 50th National Day

The UAE's official 50th National Day celebrations will take place in Hatta on December 2, say the committee organizing the country's Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

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."

A spectacular theatrical show will be broadcast live on December 2 at 5.30pm from a striking, natural location near the town. 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.

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.

Hatta boasts a striking natural landscape of mountains, dams, lakes and valleys dotted between historical monuments.

The 3000-year-old town is a strategic centre that was once a trading route and a crossing for caravans and travellers connecting people from all around. 

Hatta represents part of the rich history of the UAE and the story of its people, serving as an optimal location for a show set against a captivating natural canvas.

Equidistant from all seven emirates, Hatta has grown in stature in recent years, thanks to several notable development projects.

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.