Dubai Culture & Arts Authority celebrates National Day

Under the guidance of HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority is celebrating its first National Day by supporting a range of activities across Dubai that reflect its strategic mission to increase public awareness and interest in cultural activities while promoting national identity and pride among the citizens of the United Arab Emirates, and enhancing the cultural scene in the city.

For the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the National Day is one of the most important dates of the year to showcase the rich history and culture of the UAE.

That's why the Authority is enormously active in two major public celebrations - the Union House Parade and the National Day Dhow Parade.

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority recently took over direction of the Union House, which is a location of great historical importance to the nation, since it was here that the country was founded on December 2, 1971.

On that day, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi; the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and rulers of the other emirates signed an agreement to form the United Arab Emirates.

By participating in a parade, organized by the Executive Council in Dubai that ends at the Union House, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and other organisers and participants are highlighting the historical significance of the building.

The parade began at Jumeirah Shopping Mall, proceeded down Jumeirah Beach Road and ended at Union House.

The second major event that the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority will participate in is the National Day Dhow Parade.

This will feature a variety of dhows representing numerous organisations lead by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

The Dhow Parade is being held under the patronage and the presence of HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and is being held on Dubai Creek, signifying the the importance of this vibrant waterway that represents not only the historic commerce and trading heart of the city, but also the future centre of its cultural scene.

The Authority's dhow will carry distinguished cultural and artistic personalities in the UAE, including poets and writers, as well as a marine heritage ensemble.

The parade will begin from the Dubai Sheraton and conclude at the historic Al Shindagha Heritage Village.

Also part of its National Day activities is an exhibition organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority called "Generation Art Exhibition", featuring art works from members of the Bin Lahej family, including Mr. Mattar Bin Lahej, his mother, his daughter, and grandson.

The show is particularly interesting as it contrasts the expression, mindset and perceptions of four generations of Emiratis from the same family, as revealed in their works.

While these are the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority's key National Day activities, the Authority strives to promote the heritage of the UAE, its culture and the pride of its citizens all year long.

In addition to supporting and promoting Emirati artists, raising the profile of Dubai's cultural scene and developing venues to promote cultural activities, the Authority is also responsible for a number of different initiatives.

One of its main initiatives is the Mohammed the Messenger Museum, the world's first project of its kind dedicated to highlighting the life of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and addressing misconceptions about Islam.

Another of its major initiatives, which builds on the central position of the Dubai Creek, is "Khor Dubai", a cultural project that will extend more than 20 kilometres - from Shindagha, Dubai's oldest neighbourhood at the mouth of Dubai Creek, to Business Bay, Dubai's newest commercial district.

The project will see the Dubai Creek take centre stage as the vibrant cultural heart of the city.

In addition to promoting the history and culture of the UAE, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority seeks to build on Dubai's status as one of the most multicultural cities in the world - where more than 200 nationalities reside and work - to promote Dubai as a dynamic centre of culture, heritage and the arts and a leading global cultural hub.