Dubai: The UAE came alive on the the occasion of the 41st National Day being celebrated on Sunday with a range of events from fireworks displays, cultural parades, and exhibitions that captivated thousands of residents and visitors alike.
Throughout the country, city streets and buildings were virtually painted in red, black, white, and green as hundreds of residents displayed UAE flags of all sizes in their villas, apartment buildings, and commercial centres.
Families took advantage of the fair weather and spent the day in parks and beaches. But there were those who stayed at home in preparation for Sunday’s big event. Others went for family trips in resorts in Fujairah, Al Ain, and Umm Al Quwain.
“Right now we’re celebrating with the family at home. But on National Day, my friends and I will go to Jumeirah for our own parade. We will put UAE flags on our cars and parade our cars on Jumeirah Beach Road,” Majid Ahmad, 15, an Emirati, told Gulf News.
Emirati Abdullah Hassan’s family opted for a long drive to Al Ain for a two-day leisure trip. “We’ll be celebrating national day here with our family. We’re off for two days so we’ll just spend it here,” Hassan said.
Over at Al Warqa, about a dozen all-Emirati horseriders from Fursan Al Warqa Stables and several decorated cars paraded on Academic City Road for the National Day celebrations.
Also spreading the patriotic spirit was The Dubai Mall that put up tents to provide traditional Emirati hospitality to visitors, serving Arabic coffee and dates. Visitors were treated to cultural performances by Harbiya Band at Grand Atrium and Souk Atrium.
At the Mall of the Emirates, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, a first-of-its kind art gallery presented visitors with a rare glimpse of artworks from prominent artists in the region. The artworks included exclusive images of the UAE and of Shaikh Khalifa, and HH Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former UAE President and founding father.
Global Village, after being closed on Friday due to bad weather, resumed operations on Saturday featuring Diana Haddad for a special national day concert.
For art lovers, artist Caroline Bancroft has opened her solo-exhibition titled “Inspired by the Emirates” at Gallery 76 in Dubai in celebration of the traditional aspects of life in the emirates.
In Sharjah, Al Qasba hosted an array of events for visitors of all ages that would continue till Monday. Residents flocked to the popular tourist destination to enjoy carnival rides organised by Sharjah National Day Commission. A number of bands across the country likewise entertained visitors with cultural performances.
Meanwhile, Sharjah will make history on Sunday as the emirate inaugurates the “Flag Island” featuring a 123 metre-high flagpole, the 7th highest flagpole in the world.
