November 30th, 2015: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has marked the 44th UAE National Day with a range of campus-wide festivities that celebrated the culture and heritage of the UAE. This year’s event also paid tribute to the country’s heroic martyrs, in recognition of the UAE’s first annual Commemoration Day.
The annual National Day event brought students, faculty and staff together with the local community, to demonstrate their patriotism and honour the traditions of the nation through art, music, drama, poetry and cuisine.
Opening this year’s proceedings was a grand performance of traditional dance, along with horse and falconry displays, accompanied by lyrical Arabic music. The formalities began with a special tribute to the UAE’s martyrs, with the screening of a video prepared by students to honour the brave soldiers who have laid down their lives in service to the nation.
The event continued with an inspiring poetry recital from Khalfan AlWashahi, and songs from Mohammed AlShehi and Mohammed AlZaabi. Following a general knowledge quiz that tested the audience’s knowledge of the seven Emirates, it was left to CUD artist in residence, Sylvain Tremblay to provide the grand finale, delivering a live art performance to reveal an iconic National Day image.
Concluding the festivities, participants were treated to a spread of traditional Emirati food and toured a gallery of paintings created specifically for the occasion by CUD art students.
Organized by CUD, the annual UAE National Day event celebrates the country’s peace, progress and prosperity, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
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