More than 87,000 shells will be launched across eight dazzling displays…

The UAE’s first-ever fireworks contest is set to take place later this March as part of the Mother of the Nation festival in Abu Dhabi.

Across two weekends, the contest will see four pyrotechnics teams from Canada, Netherlands, South Korea and Australia battle it out to claim the inaugural winner’s trophy.

An expert panel of judges will assess each show, which will take place across Friday March 15 and Saturday March 16, and the following weekend on Friday March 22 and Saturday March 23.

Visitors can enjoy eight, epic 15-minute displays that will create breathtaking scenes to fill the skies over Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. Each display will be launched from a series of off-shore barges at Corniche beach.

Over the course of the two weekends, the four teams are expected to launch more than 87,000 shells, with each team given two opportunities to impress the judges.

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The displays will be assessed on five key factors; spatial occupation, defined by how the choreography fills the skies; originality of the display; use of colour; pace; and acceptance, that gauges the audience reaction to the display.

Here’s the full schedule: 

  • Team Canada (Boom Boom Pow): Friday 15 March at 8:15pm (Set 1) and 10:30pm (Set 2)
  • Team Netherlands (Royal Fireworks): Saturday 16 March at 8:15pm (Set 1) and 10:30pm (Set 2)
  • Team South Korea (Bisabeol Fireworks): Friday 22 March at 8:15pm (Set 1) and 9:45pm (Set 2)
  • Team Australia (Xplosiv Art): Saturday 23 March at 8:15pm (Set 1) and 9:45pm (Set 2)

The results of the contest will be announced on Saturday 23 March at 11pm, the final day of the Mother of the Nation festival

The Mother of the Nation Festival will take place at Abu Dhabi Corniche from March 12 to 23 March 2019, and is open from 4pm to 12am Sunday to Wednesday and 2pm to 12am Thursday to Saturday.

During the family-friendly event, visitors can enjoy more than 120 performances and 90 dining experiences alongside a schedule of workshops and events designed to bring the community together.

Tickets are on sale now for Dhs25 for adults and Dhs20 for children from motn.ae

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