Sharjah: More than 40 national and heritage-related activities will be held across Sharjah to mark the UAE’s 45th National Day, it was announced on Tuesday.
The celebration will include a wide range of events such as a national operetta, folk bands and dances, carnival parade, skydiving shows and many other activities that were approved by the Higher Committee of National Day Celebrations in Sharjah.
Themed ‘Accomplishments Of A Country … Rise Of A Nation’, the celebration programme will feature a line-up that involves key landmarks in Sharjah, namely Flag Island, Sharjah National Park, Mega Mall, Khorfakkan, Al Hamriya, Al Dhaid, Kalba and Dibba Al Hosn.
Khalid Jasem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), and Chairman of the Higher Committee of National Day Celebrations in Sharjah said every year they try to ensure the celebrations reflect that dynamic development in a new and innovative manner that lives up to the tremendous achievements and milestones made by the UAE.
“Celebrating National Day carries numerous meanings and connotations that require us to contemplate the sacrifices, the loyalty and the faith of those who have helped to secure a place for our country on a global stage,” he said.
“This great national occasion should not be confined to symbolic gestures, it must respect and value the significance of the event. It is important for us to draw lessons that will help us design our future and follow in the footsteps of those who served the nation to ensure a better and brighter future for generations to come.”
Flag Island: The venue will host a national operetta, whose details will be revealed in the coming days, while the Sharjah National Park will stage 20 events, featuring an array of activities taking place in a marquee within the park.
The programme will also involve the setting up of a unique attraction called ‘We Build with Our Hands’, alongside the ‘Oasis of Creativity’ corner, folk bands and dances, art workshops, theatrical shows and mural painting. Other events include tours within the park, a designated area for children’s traditional games, competitions, daily draws and much more.
Mega Mall: On November 29, it will host three events featuring music and international folk stories with bands from various countries performing traditional songs and dances.
While On December 1, a carnival parade will include folk musicians wearing national costumes playing cultural pieces, and on December 4, Shaabiat Al Cartoon will perform theatrical scenes with popular characters from animated TV series for children
Khorfakkan: On December 2, Khorfakkan Municipality will organise a programme that will be filled with exciting activities and shows on the new corniche where residents and visitors can take part in the celebration.
An air show will be one of the highlights, along with skydiving shows performed by parachutists from the Emirates Skydiving Group and maritime shows by the Sharjah Marine Sports Club. The programme will also include poetry recitals plus events and activities designed for children which will take place in Children’s City.
Kalba: Celebrations will include educational workshops for children, theatrical performances and folklore shows.
Other events include a maritime and boat parade which hosted in collaboration with the Marine Club on the Kalba Beach, on December 2.
Al Hamriya: On November 28, celebrations will take place at the indoor gymnasium in Al Hamriya Sports Club, where the programme includes a documentary chronicling the creation of the UAE, through the most important historical phases of the country.
A range of performances by military bands and theatrical performances, plus other special events will also be a part of the run-up. There will also be dedicated areas for reading in line with the country’s Year of Reading 2016, folk art and popular delicacies and educational and artistic workshops for children.
Al Dhaid: On November 29, Al Dhaid will see a mass rally that will begin at the Great Mosque Square heading to the Al Dhaid Sports and Cultural Club. The rally will involve federal and local government organisations, school students and citizens and residents in the city.
From November 30 to December 2, grand National Day celebrations will be held at the Heritage Village in Al Dhaid, featuring cultural songs and dances, traditional Emirati cuisine and souqs that will engage and entertain people of all ages from across the region and from private, public and commercial sectors.
Dibba Al Hosn: On Thursday, November 24, Dibba Al Hosn will host a national parade that will kick off from the Cultural Centre heading toward the Water Canal, which will see air shows, parachuting shows and folklore activities.
On Friday, November 25, the Dibba Al Hosn Fishermen Cooperative Society will organise a maritime parade from the city’s port, while the Water Canal will see Al Shash Boat Race organised by the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club. The events will culminate in the Flagpole area with activities organised by the Department of Culture and Information.
