Khaleej Times

Around 204,000 kw/h of electricity and 122,000kg of carbon emissions were saved as Dubai residents paraded down Burj Plaza towards the Burj Khalifa and back for Earth Hour. Windy and hazy conditions failed to dampen the spirits of enthusiastic walkers as they marched together.

Come Saturday (March 26) evening and every corner of the UAE including the glittering Burj Khalifa, which has peak electricity demand to light up about 500,000 bulbs of 100w each, will be shrouded in darkness except for a few essential lights as part of Earth Hour and the city’s bid against climate change.

Pakistan Appeal, a star-studded gala dinner organised in Dubai to help the flood victims of Pakistan, raised more than $1 million at Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai. Former cricketer Imran Khan’s gold-plated and autographed bat, was auctioned for Dh70,000.

Sculptured by Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein, ‘Together’ features an Arab couple dressed in the iconic white dish-dasha and black kandoora in typical Emirati style, made from Italian Carrara marble and Swedish black granite. Commissioned by the owner of the Courtyard Gallery, Samia Saleh, the 4.25 metre-high sculpture rest on a granite base, near the entrance to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Shoppers crowded the booth of the health festival, which will also be set up at Wafi City, Dubai Mall, Al Ghurair City and in select DSF locations in night souks at Al Riqqa Street, Al Seef Street in Dubai Creek, Global City and in corporate houses. Last year, the Family Health Festival attracted more than 100,000 visitors and tested more than 10,000 for free. This year, the Health Minister expected more individuals to avail of the free checkups and medical and nutritional counseling at the festival in the malls and night souks.

Welcome to One World, One Family, One Festival. Welcome to Dubai, the Shopping Paradise. Entertain yourself with hundreds of options. Go for a dash of culture, custom and tradition. Then, perhaps drive and laugh as you collect your winnings from the bank.

For diners at the world's highest restaurant, due to open today in the Burj Khalifa, the bill will be as stratospheric as the setting. Patrons will be expected to spend a minimum of Dh450 (US$122.52) a head for dinner at At.mosphere Grill & Lounge on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, according to the reservations hotline. Lunch featuring an "eclectic European cuisine" will cost at least Dh300, while those who want to sit in the lounge for drinks or snacks will need to spend a minimum of Dh200 per person.

The Burj Khalifa show was divided into four acts symbolizing the festive and vibrant atmosphere of DSF and of Dubai itself. The event’s unique water screen projection displayed images of the past and new Dubai in a back drop of light that matched the music beat and the rhythm of performers. Thousands of families thronged to this area to witness the performances. The water fountain came alive with lively music melodies at the event and a spectacular firework display lit the Burj Khalifa sky.

A few days after its first anniversary, the Burj Khalifa, is inspiring a similar structure in China. The People’s Daily, in a report on Thursday, said the proposed $1.3 billion tower (the Burj cost an estimated $1.5 billion to build) would come up in Mentougou district of the capital and would house a seven-star hotel.

Nasser Juma, Head of the Organising Committee for National Day Events and Activities, told Khaleej Times that the DTCM had planned to hold the National Day festivities on top of Burj Khalifa from the moment it decided to prepare the agenda for this year’s celebration.