Dubai has once again mesmerised the world with a magnificent New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacle by Emaar Properties, bidding farewell to 2016 and welcoming in 2017 in resplendent style. Hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the world joined the celebrations in Downtown Dubai, Emaar’s mega-development in the heart of the city, centred around the iconic Burj Khalifa. The dazzling event reached billions more through live television feeds and a real-time experience via Twitter Live Stream.
Moments before the stroke of midnight, Downtown Dubai was enveloped in a blanket of darkness. And then to the sounds of a special musical composition by Dhabiwood Studios, played by more than 80 musicians and recorded in studios in Dubai and Cairo, the spectacle unfolded.
A glittering falcon took flight in the night sky to announce the imminent arrival of the New Year, and then the countdown commenced with a fascinating play of lights and laser, leading to the moment that the world waited for as Burj Khalifa, the towering icon, glittered in a million lights and was lit by thousands of fireworks. New Year greetings in Arabic and English then appeared on LED screens on Burj Khalifa.
The celebrations that followed had no parallel. Across Downtown Dubai, fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser shows and LED displays in multiple hues created intricate motifs and patterns – each one more impressive than the last, and every act spellbinding visitors with an electrifying performance that lit up the sky in festive illumination.
Swirling comets, Arabian dance forms and other designs drawn from Emirati heritage and culture were created through the fireworks in fascinating precision. Adding more magic to the show was The Dubai Fountain, specially choreographed with water and fire.
And still the best was yet to come. With all lights dimmed once again, the glittering falcon reappeared against the dark sky. It took flight towards the newly opened Dubai Water Canal and from there, to the site of Dubai Creek Harbour. Fireworks and pyrotechnics followed, setting a brilliant continuum of lights from Burj Khalifa through the Dubai Canal to Dubai Creek Harbour, where the glorious architecture of The Tower, the city’s future icon currently being developed by Emaar, was simulated in lights and fireworks. The panoramic vista served as a visual link between the two grand icons that define Dubai’s present and its future.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “Dubai has charmed the world once again. This celebration is our message of positivity to the world, and our welcome to everyone to come, visit and live in our city. This magnificent display is also our salute to our leadership, our mark of gratitude for making Dubai such a great place to be as a result of their futuristic vision.”
This year’s New Year’s Eve Gala stood out for its exceptional artistic interpretations in pyrotechnics and LED graphics. The sequence of the fireworks, all the way up to Dubai Creek Harbour, could be watched on big screens in Downtown Dubai as well as online at www.mydubainewyear.com. The Twitter Live stream of New Year’s Eve Gala was available @DUBAINYE.twitter.com.
Special viewing galleries were set up for visitors to Downtown Dubai to take part in the celebration. Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Health Authority, among other governmental entities, supported Dubai’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
For further details, please visit www.mydubainewyear.com.