Dubai: As Canada’s sesquicentennial draws to a close this year, Dubai is wrapping up the celebrations in a special two-day event to mark the occasion.
Hosted by the Canadian Consulate in Dubai, everyone is invited to take in the festivities at Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz on December 14-15, said organisers.
Canada 150 celebrations in 2017 are in honour of the founding of modern-day Canada on July 1, 1867 and Canadian expats in the UAE are paying homage to a variety of Canadian values ranging from environment and diversity and youth and inclusion to a major effort this year to reconcile Canada’s indigenous history to pay homage to the First Nations of the country.
An estimated 25,000 Canadian expats live in Dubai and a further 15,000 live in Abu Dhabi.
Masoud Hussain, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE, told Gulf News in an earlier statement, “Canada’s 150th anniversary is an occasion to strengthen the ties that unite Canadians of all backgrounds, to think about what it means to be Canadian and to celebrate Canada’s linguistic, cultural and regional diversity, as well as its rich history and heritage.”
Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Consul-General of Canada to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, also noted earlier that he was pleased with a number of Canada 150 events held in the UAE in 2017 which signify deep connections of expats to their home country.
“Our year in the UAE has been exceptional in 2017: it has been filled with activities focused on youth, on diversity and on celebrating our country’s positive influence in the world,” Kamarianakis told Gulf News.
Organisers, meanwhile, promise a truly Canadian celebration featuring live music, art workshops, Canadian food and film.
“Join community members at thejamjar, The Fridge, Parkour DXB, Reading Dogs UAE, Cinema Akil and The Third Line Gallery who have curated a special selection of artistic content all the way from Canada,” said organisers.
Visitors can also attend “an Aboriginal arts workshop led by Canadian First-Nations artist KC Adams [or] enjoy the enthralling lyrics and distinctive soulful voice of Somali-Canadian musician Ladan Hussein (Cold Specks). Wind down with film director Ann Marie Fleming at a showing of her award-winning animation film Window Horses.”
All events are free. For information and timings, log on to https://alserkalavenue.ae/en/event/canada-150-at-alserkal-avenue.php
