Tag Archives: accession day

Accession Day – A Day Of Merry Making

Posted on by

Tourists visiting Abu Dhabi in the middle of the year have some important events and festivals to look forward to. The emirate being a great cultural hot spot there is much to see, do and experience. It is a great cultural land mark where visits can be exposed to the Middle East in its entire splendour.
One of the key events in the region’s calendar is the Accession Day. Similar to the British accession day, it is a holiday of great festivity and merriment celebrating the accession of the monarch to the throne. It is a celebration that marks the dawn of a new era under the new ruler and a festival of hope for the new future.
The event marks the historically significant happening when Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan overthrew his brother in a bloodless coup in 1966 to assume the throne of the UAE in Abu Dhabi, which is regarded to be the state’s main emirate. However later in 1971, he became the president and ruled the country until 2004. He was considered to be a visionary leader in bringing in economic prosperity to the land and the country saw a massive transformation for the better. There were great investments made in education, infrastructure, and economy and there was a rise of interest in sports amongst, men, women and children.


To showcase the greatness of the Shiekh there are celebrations that last for almost a week and all organizations get ready for the celebrations way in advance. There are concerts and dances, fireworks and many other celebrations throughout the state. People dress up in the national costumes and bear the flag and it is hoisted in houses and offices and even seen on vehicles. There is a lot of patriotism in the air and an atmosphere of celebration.
A time in the Middle East that should not to be missed for its unique nature and cultural significance, even foreigners staying at the many Abu Dhabi hotels located across the emirate or even at a one of the luxury hotels Abu Dhabi, such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara can be part of the celebrations, which are sure to make one look at this part of the world with new eyes.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

Google+

Accession Day – Abu Dhabi’s celebration of Sheikh Zayed

Posted on by

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is a splendid cultural landmark in the Arabian landscape that spans the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Visitors looking to soak up the spectacular offerings of this desert oasis have a choice selection of Abu Dhabi beach hotels to indulge in. A fine Abu Dhabi resort that promises to truly pamper its guests in the spirit of desert hospitality is the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. This elegant property’s exclusive interiors and stylish amenities promise an Arabian fantasy experience to rival none other. Accession Day is a holiday of rampant celebration and joy in Abu Dhabi. It commemorates the dawn of a new epoch, when Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan overthrew his brother in a bloodless palace coup on August 6, 1966, to assume the throne of the UAE in Abu Dhabi, the country’s main emirate. In 1971, Sheikh Zayed became president of Abu Dhabi and held the post until his death in 2004. The ruling Sheikh was regarded to be an economic visionary, who completely transformed Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape during his tenure as the country’s ruler. His reign was marked by reform in pursuit of a liberalized state and he poured much of the country’s wealth into developing its schools, infrastructure and economy. He promoted the popularity of sports among the country’s youth, both men and women. The media was also allowed a large measure of freedom of expression, an unusual feature in an Islamic nation, although it could not criticise the sheikh or his family directly. But to celebrate Sheikh Zayed’s rule, Abu Dhabi explodes into a celebrational whirlwind that lasts for about a week. Many public and private institutions undertake preparations more than a month beforehand to showcase the Sheikh in all manner of vibrancy and colour. Multi-hued trails of fireworks light up Abu Dhabi’s skyline each night in joyful commemoration. Traditional concerts and dances featuring the best talent celebrate the historical figure and his reign. The locals take to the streets in traditional attire, and the vehicles bear the national flag. TV channels feature numerous specials about the day, the figure and the country that was irrevocably changed for the better because of him. Every August 6, Abu Dhabi lets fly its national colours on Accession Day, a fine tribute to the country’s greatest leader.