Sharjah Concludes its UAE National Day Celebration Programme

Sharjah’s Higher Committee of National Day Celebrations has concluded its programme to mark the UAE’s 45th National Day, with the schedule comprising a diverse array of over 40 national-themed events and activities involving theatrical performances and exciting shows taking place across the emirate.

Themed ‘Accomplishments of a Country, Rise of a Nation,’ the five-day celebration programme was held at key landmark venues in Sharjah; Sharjah National Park, Khorfakkan, Al Hamriya, Al Dhaid, Kalba and Dibba Al Hisn, with the activities formulated to mark the country’s important unification occasion.

“We are delighted with the major success achieved by our National Day Celebrations programme. The packed schedule featured a variety of events that highlighted the many milestones the UAE has achieved under its wise leadership, which since its inception has strived to ensure the happiness of all citizens and residents,” said HE Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Higher Committee of National Day Celebrations in Sharjah. 

Al Midfa also paid tribute to the community dignitaries, artists, media personalities and school students who contributed with such dedication to the programme.

As part of Sharjah’s National Day celebrations, Flag Island’s theatre hosted the operetta ‘The Story of the Nation,’ which featured a number of renowned Emirati artists, including  Emirati superstar Hussein Al Jasmi and singers Fayez Al Saeed and Jassim Mohammed. The musical highlighted the invaluable sacrifices made by the founding fathers who oversaw the birth of a great nation.

Sharjah National Park was a particularly popular focal point for Sharjah’s National Day revelries, attracting more than 100,000 visitors throughout its five-day programme. Hosting a total of 20 events, the park featured two corners; ‘We Build with Our Hands’ and ‘Oasis of Creativity’, where visitors enjoyed traditional songs and folk dances performed by folk bands. Other events included arts workshops and theatrical shows for visitors of all ages. 

Sharjah’s Mega Mall hosted three events as part of the celebrations, showcasing music and international folk stories performed by bands from various countries, while in Khorfakkan, a spectacular air show included parachutists from the Emirates Skydiving Group and a marine parade by the Sharjah Marine Sports Club.

In Kalba, residents and visitors enjoyed a wide range of events and activities, such as educational workshops for children, theatrical performances and folklore shows. A marine parade and boat races took place at Kalba Beach. 

Celebrations at Al Hamriya comprised theatrical performances and other activities at the indoor gymnasium at Al Hamriya Sports Club, with the programme including a special corner dedicated for reading in alignment with the UAE’s 2016 Year of reading. It also included a corner for folklore art and traditional foods and another that was home to children’s educational and arts workshops. 

In Al Dhaid, a mass march commenced at the Great Mosque Square and headed through the city to the Al Dhaid Sports and Cultural Club. The march saw the participation of federal and local government organisations, school students, Emiratis and residents. Other highlights included the setting up of a traditional market and folk shows that were held at Al Dhaid Heritage Village.

People of Dibba Al Hisn, for their turn, participated in a huge national march through the streets of the city, with aerial displays, parachuting shows and folk arts that proudly highlighted the Emirati identity also taking place.