Al Maryah celebrates the Year of the Horse with spectacular Chinese New Year festivities

Abu Dhabi: Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi's new world-class Central Business District (CBD) at the heart of the capital, is attracting visitors from the Gulf and beyond for a series of celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year. Scheduled to take place between Thursday January 30th and Saturday February 1st, 2014, the festivities will feature live musical performances, art exhibitions, traditional crafts, celebrated delicacies and a fireworks display. Residents and guests from the Emirates and abroad will have the opportunity to experience authentic Chinese culture through a variety of activities on the Island's stunning waterfront promenade, including a Chinese calligraphy workshop, kite painting lessons, a horse whisperer photo exhibition, and portrait painters, creating a celebratory atmosphere all set amongst a landscape of thousands of decorative Chinese lanterns. The Galleria, Abu Dhabi's premier shopping and dining destination, will feature traditional Chinese musical performances in its Great Room and festive decorations in red and gold tones. On January 31st, the day of the Chinese New Year, a live "dragon show" on the promenade will be followed by a spectacular firework display accompanied by Chinese music which will light up the island and surrounding areas. Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director, Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure, said, "Al Maryah Island is a visionary mixed-use district which offers first-class retail, hotel, residential, leisure and commercial amenities alluring to both Abu Dhabi residents and guests from abroad. In the past year, we welcomed a significant number of Chinese visitors, reflecting the increasing number of tourists from China choosing to travel to the capital and select Al Maryah Island as their lifestyle destination of choice." "We developed strong ties with the Chinese market and are committed to furthering our collaboration by creating tailored offerings that specifically cater to Chinese travellers, as well as sharing our customs and culture. Abu Dhabi's traditional equestrian roots could not find a better platform to launch these initiatives than in the Year of the Horse, and we are proud to make Al Maryah Island the focal point for Chinese New Year celebrations in the capital and look forward to making this a successful annual event." he added. - Emirates News Agency, WAM