Sharjah Museums Department ready to celebrate 41st National Day celebration

The Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) has unveiled a rich nine-day programme featuring various traditional and folk events to mark the 41^st anniversary of UAE National Day.

The festivity programme will be implemented in collaboration with the 41st National Day Celebration Committee.

Running from 25 November to 3 December, SMD’s celebration programme will include a rich line-up of various events, including fashion shows, a maritime parade, Emirati folklore and heritage events highlighting UAE society, scout events, Youla dances, Emirati weddings, and competitions to create the most beautiful national costume, flag, art piece and drawing, among many other events to mark the celebrations of National Day.

As part of the national Day celebrations, SMD announced that entry to all its museums will be free from 25 November to 31 December, excepting Sharjah Aquarium where entry will be free from 25 November to 3 December.

In line with SMD’s keenness to activate its cooperation with all official and non-official bodies, free entry tickets to Sharjah Aquarium will be offered to the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection.

Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, SMD Director General, said: ““As we celebrate National Day, we renew our pledge for unity, peace and our allegiance to our great leader-President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and all the Rulers of the Emirates.” 

“All Sharjah museums will celebrate with a rich program, which includes a series of exciting events aiming at fostering love for the nation and enhancing the values of loyalty, community and patriotism", Ataya added.

Starting on 25 November, the program includes Emirati folk dances, traditional songs and a fashion show titled “My Heritage My Identity” for children aged 4-12 years.

Some 70 children from the UAE, other GCC countries, Iraq, Yemen, India, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco and Palestine, will participate in the fashion show wearing their national costumes. A judging panel composed of six members will select winners from among the children participating in the fashion show and the event sponsors will also be honoured.

The programme includes a traditional Emirati wedding demonstration that portrays the preparations of the bride along with traditional folk songs and dances. The event will take place at outdoor area behind the SharjahMaritimeMuseum and Sharjah Aquarium.

The SharjahArcheologyMuseum will host various events, including army band, workshops for adults, and a workshop titled “Make Your Own D3 Plane”, along with numerous other activities.

On Monday, 26 November Al Mahatta Museum will host similar events, as well as the traditional band ‘Madima” and workshops for children and adults.

The SharjahCalligraphyMuseum and SharjahHeritageMuseum will host a variety of events for school students on 27 November, including the military band event, various heritage contests and activities and workshops for children. While on 28 November, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization will host special events for individuals with special needs, including the army band, workshops for children and a workshop titled “Make Your Own Design and Learn Arabic Calligraphy”, in addition to a bazaar and bakeries.

On 29 November, Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi will host four exhibitions, including an art exhibition featuring Emirati heritage paintings, an exhibit of showcasing a number of personal collections, an exhibition on family products, such as perfumes and heritage clothes, and an exhibition on dates and Arabic coffee and desserts. 

Bait Sheikh Saeed Al Qasimi will also host three workshops, one on making pottery, another one on gypsum carving and colouring, and a pottery restoration workshop, as well as a traditional food corner. While the visitors to the main premises of Sharjah Museums Department will enjoy diverse activities, including traditional folklore, traditional songs, and a Henna preparation display, bride preparation, folk dances, entertaining events and various contests.

The same programme will be presented from 30 November to 1 December at all museums.

On 2 December, a maritime parade will be organized by SMD, the SharjahMaritimeMuseum, and Sharjah Aquarium for the fourth consecutive year. The parade will kick off from the MaritimeMuseum marching through Al Qasba to Khalid Lagoon, and return to the Maritime Museum Marina. The event will be organized in collaboration with Sharjah Police and is expected to draw thousands of participants.

Several government and private bodies will participate in the UAE’s 41^st National Day celebrations, among which the Sharjah Foundation for Humanitarian Services, and other institutions include the Urban Heritage Association, Punitive Establishment, which will display handcrafts made by inmates. The Boat Club, the Arab Cultural Club, Sharjah Male Scouts Society and Female Scouts Society, Social Empowerment, Family Development Centres, the Emirates Photography Club, the Women’s Union Society, Watani, Al Liwan Traditional Café, Takatuf, Emirates Female Scouts Society, Al Noor International School, and Al Kamal School are also taking part in the event.