Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Opens Ferrari World

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(ABU DHABI, UAE) -- Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, last night officially inaugurated Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's first Ferrari theme park, on Yas Island.

Pressing a button in the shape of the park's red roof, Sheikh Mohammed paid tribute to the vision of his brother and President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, "who is keen on turning the UAE into a global magnet of sports and recreational tourism through a diverse portfolio of projects that will have substantial impact on the national economy and social development."

Hosted by Aldar Properties and Ferrari SpA, the event attracted 2000 VIP guests from the UAE and Italy. The Italian government was represented by Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Ambassador to the UAE Giorgio Starace. Ferrari was represented by Chairman Luca di Montezemolo and Ferrari Formula 1 team drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. 

The dignitaries and guests watched the show titled Power meets Elegance inspired by the history of Abu Dhabi and the story of Ferrari. Seen through the eyes of a young boy, the two cultures are blended together through a mix of live action, acrobatics, advanced film projection techniques, and original music. Sheikh Mohammed launched the grand finale, an explosion of gigantic projections, flying pearl divers, music by an orchestra, and a fireworks display.

More than 140 Ferraris travelled across the United Arab Emirates to join the event, guided to Yas Island by Abu Dhabi Police. Ferrari Middle East & Africa in association with Al Tayer Motors, the official Ferrari importer for the UAE, and the Emirates' Ferrari Owners' Club organized the event as a tribute to the new theme park.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has already captured the imagination of thousands of visitors from around the globe with a range of unique and thrilling attractions including Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster, and Speed of Magic, the region's first four dimensional fantasy ride.

Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Aldar Properties, said,  "This unique new attraction at the heart of Yas Island is creating excitement, not just here in Abu Dhabi, but around the world. With more than 500 million people watching the final race in this year's Formula 1 season only three weeks ago, the eyes of the world will instantly recognize this amazing structure."

Luca di Montezemolo, Chairman of Ferrari, said, "I would like to thank all those who made this dream a reality, and in particular our partners and the leadership of Abu Dhabi. The park just four years ago was a project, an idea, maybe even a too ambitious idea, and it is now a fantastic reality."
 
He commended Aldar for its work in creating the park following "the same passion, the same vision, the same will to go beyond," as Ferrari and added, "Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a symbol, built actively on the heritage that Italy represents for the world. But I also like to think that this Ferrari theme park can be a small contribution to reinforcing the bridge between our two cultures."

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