National Day Celebration in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)commemorated its 44 th National
Day in royal grandeur and style. A series of events were being
held across the country to mark Commemoration Day and the 44th
National Day and highlight UAE’s rich cultural past.
One of the main events in Sharjah was the operetta called Nation of
Hope on Flag Island in Sharjah. The show, held on December 2 at 8pm, featured six musical performances revolving around the theme of Spirit
of the Union. The operetta was written by Emirati poet Mosbeh Ali Al Kaabi with music by composer Khalid Al Nasser, and performed by artists Hussain Al Jasmi, Jasem Mohammad, Arwa, and Esmail Mubarak. It narrated the story of the establishment of the UAE and its development over the course of four decades. It also exemplified the heroism and sacrifices of the founding fathers of the UAE, most notably the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and depicted the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs who gave their lives for their country. On the sides, Etihad Airways participated in 44th National Day celebrations by hosting cultural activities and family entertainment for more than 2,000 staff and their families. The special marquee event was held at the airline’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities marked the National Day celebrations by showcasing the creative abilities of their students, who designed greeting cards reflecting the occasion. The new themes of the card comprise Modern Dubai, Snowman, Reindeer, Gifts and Decor for the season. This project is one of Al Noor’s longestrunning fund-raising projects where the proceeds from sale of the cards support the centre’s running cost and
helps young people with intellectual and physical challenges realise their creative abilities. Besides these, an official 44th Celebrations took place in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. This visual show celebrated the spirit of the union and its national pride with
extravagant activities. Also, in the Corniche, Abu Dhabi hosted a range
of activities for the whole family to enjoy have been setup on the
waterfront. These include military, naval, aerial, ground demonstrations, folklore shows, and firework shows. While the Grand Prix at Abu Dhab’s Marina Circuit roared with the GP2 and GP3 track action, there was also fun fair, outdoor cinema, picnic and cultural experiences such as Emirati food stations, and stage area with patriotic songs. The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority has organised three days of major celebrations during the course of the Festival. On top of the normal activities which were part of the festival, there was a musical evening with singers from UAE and Arab world. Last but not the least, the National Car Parade in Abu Dhabi held on 3 December showcased the country’s best decorated cars competition where military and cavalry teams participated. Thousands of cars decorated in the UAE’s flag colours started their parade from du Forum to symbolically mark the grand entry of the nation into its 44th year.