Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company has confirmed that Thani Al Qamzi, the current UAE speedboat champion and a strong contender in the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) F1 Powerboat World Championship, will grace the opening day of the inaugural “Summer in Abu Dhabi” (SIAD) family festival on June 26, 2008.Al Qamzi’s participation has heightened public anticipation for the pioneering edutainment event, which promises to redefine the UAE summer season during its run from June 26, 2008 to August 18, 2008, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Al Qamzi, the primary driver of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-sponsored F1 Team Abu Dhabi, recently finished third in the Finnish leg of the UIM F1 competition. His famous racing exploits are helping Abu Dhabi reach an international audience of millions, similar to the broad global exposure the capital city has gained through its inclusion in the World Rally Championship program.

 

“Thani Al Qamzi is a highly-respected athlete who is very vocal about his desire to gain global recognition for Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.  His presence on Summer in Abu Dhabi’s opening day will affirm our shared commitment to bring honour and glory to the capital and to the country; it will also fulfill the event’s promise of showcasing only the best and the brightest personalities and activities throughout its eight-week inaugural run,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Head of Events Section for Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

 

Summer in Abu Dhabi will feature seven uniquely-themed “islands” housed inside 13,000 square metres of air conditioned indoor space at ADNEC.  The unique festival will balance the educational and entertainment value of its family-oriented atmosphere through its segregated Discovery; Imagination; Adventure; Fun; Creativity; Action; and Heritage Culture islands.

 

Among Summer in Abu Dhabi’s highlights are the award-winning and internationally acclaimed “Robot Zoo” animatronic exhibition; a fully interactive three-dimensional animated character called “Solar the Turtle”; a 1,000-square-meter “Science of Spying” interactive educational exhibition sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Police; and cultural presentations on the UAE’s rich heritage. The festival will also feature traditional family-oriented activities such as a circus show; a children’s theatre; cartoon movie screenings; video arcade games; and various kids rides.
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