UAE | General

Canadians celebrate National Day in advance to beat the heat

Although celebrated annually on July 1, some Canadians in Abu Dhabi celebrated Canada's national day on Sunday night along with a series of Canadian festivities and the world's largest and purest gold coin being unveiled for the first time outside of North America.

  • By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 14:23 February 11, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Canadian school students performing the UAE national song during the Canadian national day reception hosted by the Canadian Embassy in the UAE and the Canadian Business Council of Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace on Sunday.
  • Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
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Abu Dhabi: Although celebrated annually on July 1, some Canadians in Abu Dhabi celebrated Canada's national day on Sunday night along with a series of Canadian festivities and the world's largest and purest gold coin being unveiled for the first time outside of North America.

"As you know, July weather is too hot and most people go back during that time. This has been kind of a Canada week in the UAE. Last Friday we hosted a very successful Terry Fox Run in Abu Dhabi. Today we are witnessing history being made by the world's largest gold coin being here. This week we will also celebrate Canada's Flag Day and this coming Friday is the Dubai Terry Fox Run. All of this is an opportunity to showcase Canada's best," says Canada's Ambassador to the UAE Sara Hradecky.

With the presence of the iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police dressed in the traditional uniform, the singing of the National Anthem, a photo slide show of Canadian prime locations, the event was truly Canadian.

To commemorate the National Day celebrations, the Royal Canadian Mint, manufacturers of collector coins and currency, displayed the 100kg, 99999 pure gold bullion coin. When the coin was unveiled, viewers wowed and whistled in wonder.

The face value of the coin is estimated at $1 million but according to RCM, the coin has already been sold to an unnamed individual for $3.5 million. Although extremely simple, the coin takes six to eight weeks to make and is fully manufactured by hand. On one side, three extremely detailed maple leafs are intertwined and on the other side a profile shot of Queen Elizabeth.

Speaking to Gulf News, CEO and president of RCM said: "This is an opportunity to highlight Canada and UAE relations and to also display RCM as the world leading manufacturers of coins. There is probably a piece of Canada in your pocket right now. RCM has been making UAE coins, the 25 fils, the 50 fils and the one dirham, since 1988 in our plant in Winnipeg."

With only four manufactured, the coin has been certified by the Guinness World Records as the world's largest and purest gold coin, making it the most exclusive coin.

The event was by invitation only and included the diplomatic community along with Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, and Nasser Al Suwaidi, Governor of Central Bank.

According to the Canadian Embassy, there are more than 12,000 Canadians working and living in the UAE. "We are very proud of Canadians here in the UAE. They are working in all sectors from health care to education and they are truly making a positive impact on this country," Hradecky said.

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