Mesmerising fireworks take place during the 49th National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. WAM

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, attended on Wednesday the official 49th National Day celebrations, held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Al Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi, under the theme "Seeds of the Union."

Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Deputy Rulers and Sheikhs alos attended the ceremony.

The dramatic performance ‘Seeds of the Union’ was broadcast live from Abu Dhabi at 6:15 pm. The show took the form of a moving sculpture surrounded by sea and illuminated by visuals portraying themes inspired by UAE history and values.

UAE leaders attend the ‘Seeds of the Union’ event in Abu Dhabi. WAM 

A host of national TV channels in multiple languages, including Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV, Dubai One (English) and Mathrubhumi (Malayalam) also broadcasted a mesmerising 40-minute show.

In addition, the show was steamed live for free online via the National Day YouTube channel, its official website https://uaenationalday.ae/ and social media channels including Facebook and Instagram on @OfficialUAEND.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed greets dignitaries and officials.

In this unprecedented year of COVID-19 restrictions, millions of people throughout the seven emirates, and further afield, tuned in from the safety of their homes to watch a performance that will be remembered for years to come as one of the most spectacular and moving, to be held in the UAE.

Themes of hope and optimism played out in a visual and audio extravaganza that took place at Al Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi. The entire production was centered around a 15-metre tall rotating cubed sculpture — which played the storyteller of the show — illuminated by digital lighting, surrounded by pyrotechnic and drone effects, and given the appearance of floating on the sea.

A cubicle tells the story about the founding fathers.

Highlights included touching tributes to the nation’s Founding Fathers and frontline workers who have risked their lives to keep the nation safe during the pandemic.

Members of the public played their part in the celebrations as recordings of people signing the UAE national anthem were incorporated into the production. National anthem entries were submitted by the public as part of "Eishy Bilady" campaign launched on November 23.

Artistes perform during the ‘Seeds of the Union’ event.

The creative design was led by a team of talented Emiratis and artistic director Es Devlin, who has been involved in spectacular large-scale productions that fuse music, language and light.

Its title, Seeds of the Union, represents the growth of the UAE from a seed at its formation on December 2, 1971 into full bloom 49 years later. Enshrined in its concept were a series of values that have guided the UAE since inception - Determination, Optimism, Unity, Ambition, Wisdom, Persistence, and The Union.