Abu Dhabi planning world's largest fireworks display

Its Nationalism

Posted by NZ at 00:10 UAE time

A whole lotta money was also blown on some stupid experiment that would never work (to feed some dumb scientists ego) in the west. Here, Its was their National Day...they know the world is watching..they are just celebrating!

Abu Dhabi Fireworks

Posted by Akbar at 14:31 UAE time

I was there last night - it was just too long and a number of viewers got bored and tired and were seen walking away during the show. They has two simultaneous shows on both sides of the causeway leading to the mall.

What truly impressed me was the passion with which the young Emaratis displayed their affection for their nation and were so involved. It's a different matter that some of the antics were not safe, down right risky actually and the police were chasing them away and one young lady sprayed me with a can of some foam.

We were stuck in traffic for over 3 hours but did enjoy the show!

Posted by fireworkswatcher at 13:46 UAE time

I thought it would be something..but well...nothing really just long and boring.

why "most expansive fireworks" why not "most starving people fed"

Posted by SJS at 00:59 UAE time

I am a UK resident visiting Abu Dhabi. Today is only the eve of their national Day and tonight I have been priviledged to witness an exhuberant display of the local residents pride in their country.They have been parading throughout the city in a way that we Brits have lost the will to do on our own national day. GoodLuck to them...and to their firework display tomorrow. And to all those who cast negative opinions, I say...don't be so smallminded. The cash spent will recirculate several times over, benefitting many.

To ProudlySA

Posted by motivated at 22:18 UAE time

1. Yes I have, as have MANY people I know.
2. I'm a monthly regular Kiva.com giver (how much and how regularly do you give to charity?)
3. It's called SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY which is why the people should be able to tell a government that how they are spending their money is frivolous, wasteful and flies in the face of humanity who are suffering everywhere currently.

Your comments are totally irresponsible.

why "most expansive fireworks" why not "most starving people fed"

Posted by International citizen at 15:00 UAE time

Celebrate ofcourse but in a very different manner - this year there is no turning back as whats done is done.
But could someone make it a point that for next year the "Highest \ Tellest \ Biggest" words be used for something good an example is "world record for feeding biggest number of starving children for the highest number of days" just by reducing the budget for firweworks.

How much do u contribute to charity?

Posted by ProudlySA at 14:11 UAE time

Why should we tell people how to spend their money? Anyway spending is good, thats what the world needs now, someone down the line is benefitting from this. All the people that commented, have u cut down on your luxuries to supplement those unfortunate?

Fireworks

Posted by Jon at 06:33 UAE time

Of course, amongst a global economic crisis, burning money is always a prudent move...

Mine is bigger than yours!!

Posted by Chunga at 14:42 UAE time

Is this all we can do in the middle of a worldwide recession and people dying of starvation around the world.

Disgusting Extravagance

Posted by motivated at 13:58 UAE time

Fabulous .. so the world is reeling amidst a global economic crisis ... people all over the world are losing their houses and jobs .... companies in the Middle East are slashing staff numbers ..... AND ABU DHABI DECIDES TO SPLASH WASTEFUL MONEY ON TOTALLY WASTEFUL FIREWORKS at such a time. The Emirate should have more sense, diplomacy, style and humility. The world will find this highly distasteful.

Another "super huge" fireworks display?

Posted by David at 11:20 UAE time

Why not have a 5 minute "big bang" experience to celebrate National Day and put the rest of the funds (which will be a staggering amount of money literally going up in smoke!!!!) towards education or health-care or charity?

The UAE is perfectly entitled to celebrate it's National Day and well it should - but to lay out money that could be way better spent at a time when the whole world is contracting financially seems excessively wasteful indeed.

Too much focus on biggest, longest, widest, deepest, highest - put the ego's aside for once folks!

HA

Posted by joey at 10:40 UAE time

Keeping-up-with-the-Jones' Syndrome anyone??