The Dubai Mall marks the ‘Spirit of the Union’ with ‘Bidaya’ initiative to promote UAE youth talent

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, is marking the 40^th UAE National Day with a first of its kind initiative, ‘Bidaya,’ to promote Emirati youth talent. 

Flagging off on December 1, 2011 at the Lower Ground area of the mall, Bidaya continues through Dec. 4, and will subsequently be hosted every alternative week. It will serve as a veritable showcase of the UAE national talent across various sectors – from arts to culture and innovative thinking by the country’s youth. 

The Dubai Mall is also rolling out an unprecedented range of activities to mark the ‘Spirit of the Union,’ including – for the first time ever – a special ‘Union is Origin and Branches’ tree to be set up by Watani, the UAE-entity working towards promoting national identity. 

Visitors to the mall can post their wishes to the UAE national leadership and their congratulatory notes on the occasion of the National Day on the tree, which will be festooned with national flags. Aghsaan will be set up at the Star Atrium on the Lower Ground level, and displayed from Dec. 1 to 3. 

Mr Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said: “The 40^th UAE National Day celebrations are a source of national pride for every resident in the country. A powerful testament to the achievements made by our nation, the ‘Spirit of the Union’ is a fitting occasion to look forward to the future too. This is underlined by Bidaya, organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

“Bidaya crystallizes the aspirations of our youth, and will be a strong demonstration of the creative thinking and outlook of Emirati youngsters. The Dubai Mall is honoured to host the initiative, alongside an array of celebratory events organised in partnership with government agencies and the private sector. 

“From the history of our nation’s sports to our rich cultural heritage, The Dubai Mall’s UAE National Day celebrations will present a full-spectrum perspective of the achievements of the UAE,” he added. 

Among other key attractions at the mall, the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development is presenting a showcase on Youth and Community Development at The Waterfall Atrium until Dec. 3, while the Dubai Sports Council will capture the history of sporting events in the nation at the Gold Souk Atrium from Dec. 1 to 3. 

A colourful display of classic cars that are participating in the Emirates Classic Car Festival, hosted by Emaar Properties at Emaar Boulevard, is another attraction at the mall, while The Dubai Fountain, overlooking the waterfall promenade will serenade to the UAE National Anthem from Dec. 1 to 3, every day at 1pm, 7pm, 9pm and 11pm. 

The entire mall will be decorated with UAE national flags and huge drapes in the flag colours while guest service staff will distribute more than 50,000 national flags and over 60,000 balloons to the visitors from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. 

The Dubai Mall’s indoor leisure attractions are hosting an array of colourful celebrations including the display of one of the world’s largest national flags in an aquarium environment at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo until Dec. 2. 

KidZania will host a special Emirati-themed fashion show. Young visitors can write a poem or song using the words ‘Dubai,’ ‘40’ and ‘Spirit of the Union,’ and perform them at the Talent Show. SEGA Republic will set up a ‘Celebration Wall’ where visitors can pin up flags of their nations or design and decorate their own flags, marking the cosmopolitan community living in harmony in the UAE. 

Setting the ambience of the National Day celebrations, the mall has come to life with special music custom-made for the 40^th UAE National Day – playing until Dec. 3, as well as hospitality tents serving Arabic coffee and dates, as well as live performances of oud, qanoon and piano players. 

Located in the heart of the prestigious Downtown Dubai mixed-use development, The Dubai Mall has 1,200 retail outlets, two anchor department stores and over 160 food and beverage outlets, in addition to a rich portfolio of leisure attractions including Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo; KidZania, an innovative children’s ‘edutainment’ concept; SEGA Republic, a 76,000 sq ft indoor theme park; the 22-screen Reel Cinemas; and the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink. 

The mall is also hosting a special UAE National Day Promotion in partnership with the Dubai Shopping Malls Group. Visitors who spend AED 200 will receive a free raffle coupon to enter the promotion to win AED 40,000 in cash prizes and gift vouchers in weekly draws until Dec. 2.