The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development organised the 47th National Day at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi and its Cultural Centres across the UAE.

Commenting on the occasion, Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said:

“Forty-seven years ago, a new chapter in the history of the region was written with the founding of the United Arab Emirates, a nascent country, with great ambitions. It took its first steps towards building and exerted monumental efforts under the leadership of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the founding rulers. Together, they dedicated themselves to ensure the success of the UAE and the well-being of its people and went on to consolidate the UAE’s standing as a leading modern state.”

Al Kaabi emphasized that National Day celebrations this year are special as they coincide with the Year of Zayed, the leader who laid the foundation for the most successful unitarian Arab experience in modern history.

The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development marked the day in Abu Dhabi with a celebratory program that included a variety of activities, including folklore and music, heritage and artistic performances, instant photography  drawing the late Sheikh Zayed image, falconry, Henna painting as well as cultural competitions.

The Ministry’s activities at its cultural and knowledge centers around the UAE included a wide range of activities to mark the 47th National Day.

Al Dhafra Cultural Center hosted a photography exhibition that showcased the spirit of union and its Founding Fathers’ journey. The center also hosted a theatrical show titled “Joy of a Nation” which featured theatrical and artistic performances in poetry and song, folklore pieces and a movie about the Union. The program also included Al Dhafra Heritage Village, national competitions, the Arts and Creativity Oasis that included activities and entertainment for children and featured cartoon characters, face painting, free painting, and fireworks.

Ras Al Khaimah Culture and Knowledge Center, in cooperation with the Tourism Development Authority, the Fine Arts Association, Ras Al Khaimah Educational Zone, the Heritage Associations, the Fishermen’s Association and the Ras Al Khaimah National Theater, offered a variety of national community events including the International costumes and performances carnival in addition to National Arts Exhibition, an international folk bazar. The program also featured a maritime parade entitled “Zayed the Nation”, a mural entitled “Zayed in the Eyes of His People”, a motorcycle show, a poetry evening titled “In the Love of UAE” and a number of folklore and theatrical performances for children and a school operetta.

For its part, the Umm Al Quwain Cultural Center marked the 47th National Day with a series of activities that included an exhibition of fine arts and the Children’s Village, which featured children’s cinema, art murals, children’s theater, storytellers, cultural competitions and a handicraft exhibition that showed pottery, fishing nets, oysters, in addition to heritage and antique pieces. The program also included culinary arts, a course in food decoration and cooking lessons for children. The activities at the Centre was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Community Development, the Emirate’s schools, the University of Sharjah, the Popular Arts Association, the Popular Heritage Association and the Center for Social Development.

The Ajman Cultural and Knowledge Center organized a series of activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Dar Zayed for Islamic Culture, Ajman Police and the Red Crescent, that featured the “Year of Zayed, My Country” festival, along with national products, folklore and heritage arts, a crafts market, an art exhibition and an exhibition showcasing the works of productive families. The program also included a painting exhibition, a car parade, a poetry show and several performances and exhibitions by Arab and international communities.

The Fujairah Cultural Heritage Center organized a national march with the participation of federal and local government departments. The program featured the National Day Operetta and a series of events including the Children’s Oasis, the heritage village, a traditional wedding, the productive families’ exhibition and national and cultural competitions and exhibitions. The program was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community Development.

The Masafi Cultural and Knowledge Center, in cooperation with the Children’s Centers, Girls Clubs, community support associations, Dubai Police Headquarters, Sharjah Police, Fujairah Police and Ras Al Khaimah Police, organized folklore shows with the participation of members of the community. The program featured folklore shows, a poetry tent, heritage activities such as falconry and Arabic coffee making, as well as an exhibition of products by correctional facilities inmates and musical performances, flower planting workshop and children’s corner activities such as face-painting, sand painting, balloon animals and clay products. Free painting, henna corners, clown performances, lighting shows, games, competitions, and storytelling shows were also featured in the program in Arabic and English.

The Dibba Al Fujairah Culture and Knowledge Center organized Zayed Caravan, the UAE Flag Show at Al Badia Heritage Mosque and the Zayed Centennial Village, which included the traditional performances, Zayed Centennial live mural, poetry, competitions for children, best popular cook, best traditional dress  in additional to the Celebration of people born on December 2 and a concert by Abdullah Bel Khair and Hatem Al Iraqi. The events were held in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and Education, the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, the Municipality of Dibba Al Fujairah, the Family Development Center, the Emirates Driving Institute and the Dibba Fujairah Fishing Association.