H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs attended this evening the opening ceremony of Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2015, held in Al Wathba.
the opening ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs and a number of senior officials and dignitaries.
The festival is running through 12th December and is being held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the supervision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Following the opening, the military band played the national anthem and sayings of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on heritage were recited.
The 'Operetta of Pride' was performed, highlighting the role of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the UAE foundation, as well as the heroic sacrifices of the UAE martyrs in defending the UAE.
The operetta, performed by more than 5,000, included segments for horsemanship and camels. It was followed by a solo performance of folklore songs by Aidha Al Minhali. The opening ceremony was closed with a spectacular display of fireworks.
Sheikh Mansour toured the heritage and stopped at the different stands of the exhibition, held as part of the festival.
