Tag Archives: national day

UAE National Day – Expressions of Joy in the Middle East

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The UAE celebrates its National Day collectively for two days from the 2nd of December. It commemorates the 1971 ending of a treaty signed with the UK in 1892 and the decision of seven separate sheikdoms of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Kaimah to unify forming the present country also in the same year.

The National Day celebrated in all the emirates usually starts on the final day of November if there is a long weekend involved. The lead up to the big day is celebrated with a series of free public events such as hot air balloon rides, concerts by khaleeji performers, falconry competitions, regattas, carnivals, art shows and night markets. On the day itself residents across the UAE drape the Union’s flag on every possible vantage point, one of the most popular being on vehicles which also feature pictures of their rulers. Young and old Emiratis also take to the streets in fancy dress and in their decorated vehicles that are driven through the streets in convoys.

Abu Dhabi generally hosts a car parade on Yas Island where the best ‘dressed’ vehicles wins AED 25,000 prize money. However each emirate has their own trademark events such as street parades by school children, colourful dancers from various parts of the world, traditional dancers and drummers and even tribal horsemen. In the 2012 celebrations, Abu Dhabi unfurled a 41 foot UAE flag and Sharjah hoisted one on a 123 metre high flag pole.

Dubai’s Festival City featured a show on the Spirit of the Union that focused on landmark achievements of the Emirates.The latest sound and light techniques and 3D effects were employed to present the show making it a unique event. Fireworks displays light up the night sky in the Emirates to end the celebrations. Abu Dhabi had two fireworks displays in their 2012 celebrations, one in the Corniche and the other at Mina Zayed in Gharbia. The display was set to the remix version of a classical UAE song. 17,000 fireworks were shot skywards in two 10 minute long displays from boats, barges and from land.

Emiratis also celebrated the day online when they took to social media networks to express their patriotism and happiness by posting live celebratory pictures, tweets and texts. Even the rulers took to the internet to send their citizens celebratory messages.

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Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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National Day of Sri Lanka, a momentous occasion

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images (46)Sri Lanka’s National Day, also called Independence Day is a very important occasion for all Sri Lankans. On this day all Sri Lankan citizens unite to affirm their national pride and joy in the autonomy and unity of their country. This significant event falls on February 4th, the day on which independence was granted to the nation from the colonial power Britain in the year 1948. An important national holiday, this event is an occasion for countrywide celebrations with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, performances and dances.

Sri Lanka in its rich and eventful history has experienced numerous national conflicts, and these struggles are all recalled and commemorated on this day; however, the independence struggle against the last colonizers, the British Empire is particularly remembered.

The highlight of the occasion is the speech made by the President of the nation, who typically reminisces on the achievements and progress made by the government within the year past, discusses issues of importance and expresses the need for continued development. The President expresses the nation’s reverence and gratitude towards its courageous heroes and patriots who made sacrifices in the service of the nation. Typically two minutes of reverent silence are adhered to in their honour and the President pledges to protect and develop the nation with the assistance of all citizens.images (47)

A highlight on this momentous occasion is a grand display by the armed forces, showcasing the might of the army, air force, navy, police and civil defence force. In this way the courage, commitment, nationalism and perseverance in achieving independence and unity is recollected in the minds of the Sri Lankan people.

There is also a festive aspect to the celebrations with singing, dancing and other performances held to emphasize national solidarity and the shared culture of the country. Additionally many religious ceremonies are conducted in places of worship throughout the country to pray for prosperity and peace, and the well-being of the people and the armed forces. The various media take this opportunity to promote ideals like confidence, bravery, unity, dedication, patriotism and responsibility in the hearts and minds of the people.

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National Day – Celebrating Sri Lanka’s Birth as an Independent Nation

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Tipped to be one of the most popular public holidays in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the National Day celebrations is a commemorative occasion to mark the country’s independence from Britain. Having gained independence from the British Crown on that hallowed day in February, 1948 the national celebrations of Independence Day recount memories from the colonial era and the hard fought freedom from foreign rule that was won due to the sacrifices and foresight of many national heroes and iconic political forces. Falling on the 4th of February each year, the Independence Day of the island formerly known as Ceylon by its foreign rulers, is a grand occasion that celebrates the country’s progress in the post-colonial era and in modern times with larger than life parades, traditional folk items and flag hoisting ceremonies.

Watched by millions of Sri Lankan citizens on television and attended by the country’s political elite and foreign diplomatic mission representatives, the state celebration of Independence Day was conducted at the iconic Galle Face Green in Colombo till recent times but has been held in other major cities in the island in the past several years. This included hill capital Kandy while the 2012 state Independence Day celebrations were marked in the ancient citadel of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.

Following the program of Independence Day events that came before it, the celebrations included a televised speech by the country’s head of state President Mahinda Rajapakse who spoke on the challenges of the year ahead as well as the many strides towards development that have already taken place. He also paid tribute to the nation’s forces for their relentless service to the motherland. The speech was followed by a moment of silence for patriots and military personnel who lost their lives in the country’s civil war.

The procession begins with a show of military might as the various regiments of the country’s army, navy and air force take centre stage. Students from across the country performing traditional dance items are next in line along with marching bands from various local schools as well as cultural items that reflect the ethnic diversity of the island. The 2012 edition included 45 such cultural performances in the parade while a religious ceremony was conducted nearby with the participation of 300 invitees including religious leaders.

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