UAE National Day 2011

© Hind Mezaina

Another year, another milestone - the United Arab Emirates turns 40 today.

The country has been in a festive mood for the past month or so. We do have a lot to feel proud of, the achievment cannot be underestimated. But by turning 40, I hope the country takes stock of what we've achieved so far and strives to be better and stronger. 

The past 10 years felt like the country went through a pre-mature mid-life crisis, so for the next 10 years and before turning 50, I hope we don't have to through a second phase of this crisis. I hope our pace into development will be more of a qualitative nature, specifically when it comes to the health, education and enviroment sectors. We've always been dreaming big and hope we continue to dream big. But let the dreams be about quality of life for everyone living on this land. 

Dear UAE, I hope by the time you turn 50, you grow with grace and be the wise and mature nation I always want you to be. 

I leave you with this video that takes you on a journey across the United Arab Emirates. "7 Emirates in 7 Minutes" includes 15,000 pictures taken in roughly 100 hours and a 2,500-km drive around the country. 

Happy National Day! 

(video via Gulf News) 

 

40 at 40 - Part 3

 

In part 3 of the 40@40 series (you can see part one here and part two here) there's a very eclectic mix of objects. But my favourite is the 1956 edition of National Georgraphic (object 24) which included a feature about this region with some Kodachrome-tastic photos. 

Object 21. Painted dowry chest - 2008

Object 22. Codd neck soda bottle

Object 23. A gold tablar locket - circa 1900s

Object 24. An issue of National Geographic Magazine - July 1956

Object 26. Arabic Dictionary

Object 27. Labour card issued by the Abu Dhabi government - 1973

Object 29. Asahi Pentax camera

You can read about all the 40@40 objects here.

[PS Objects 25 and 30 are missing from this post because it's missing from The National's YouTube channel. Will add it here as soon as I get access to it.]

www.thenational.ae/topic/subjects/40@40
www.youtube.com/TheNationalNewspaper

Burj Al Arab in Dubai

 

Long before Burj Khalifa, the iconic building that represented Dubai was Burj Al Arab Hotel. Dubai's architectural dreams really started in the 1990s and not in the 2000s as many believe. It was the beginning of the creation of a "city state and an economy that was moving away from oil and was engaging with the rest of the world". (As you will hear in the video below.)

Going to the beach in the 1990s, I remember seeing Burj Al Arab under construction and although I like the design, I was never comfortable with its "seven-star" hotel status - and I couldn't help but associate the hotel for the nouveau riche. It took me a very long time to step inside the hotel and when I did, I saw a few dodgy looking folks. I continue to admre it from the outside and although it's been overtaken by the other Burj, this one will hold a special place in the history of the city.

Architect Simon Crispe reveals the story behind the construction of Dubai's Burj Al Arab

A video snapshot of the architectural vision behind Dubai's iconic Burj al Arab

www.jumeirah.com/hotels-and-resorts/destinations/dubai/burj-al-arab/

40 at 40 - Part 2

 

Here's part 2 of the 40@40 series (you can see part one here). It's from a video series put together by The National to mark the 40th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates. It features 40 historic objects that have shaped the country. You can read about each object here.

My favourite from this set of videos is the Grundig radio (object number 20).

Object 11. Russian tea pot - 19-20th century

Object 12. Pearl Sieves - Early 20th Century

Object 13. Passports belonging to Mohammed Al Fahim -1957 to 1971

Object 14. Block of coral from an Abu Dhabi house - late 19th/early 20th century

Object 16. Royal invitation cards- 1979

Object 17. Two clay pots - date unknown

Object 18. Al Sidr Leaves

Object 19. Khanjar dagger - 1930s

Object 20. A Grundig radio used by Sheikh Shakhbut

www.thenational.ae/topic/subjects/40@40
www.youtube.com/TheNationalNewspaper

[PS I'm aware Object 15 is missing from The National's YouTube channel. Will add it here as soon as I get my hands on it.]

40 at 40 - Part 1

 

The National has put together a great video series to mark the 40th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates. 40@40 features 40 historic objects that have shaped the country. I will feature the videos in four parts on this blog over the next few days.

Each video is around 2 minutes long and many include some archival footage. It really is a trip into the past and some of the stories are very endearing. I hope there will be longer versions of these videos later on. In the meantime, enjoy the first part of this series. You can read about each object here.

Object 1. Silver headdress - early 20th century

Object 2. Foetal heart monitor - early 1960s

Object 3. Boat drill - 1950s / 1960s

Object 4. Postage stamp - 1968

Object 5. Mirror and comb - 1940s

Object 7. Pearl diver's nose clip - 1964

Object 8. Etisalat phone - 1987

Object 9. Wooden bridal chest - 1900

Object 10. Formula One volunteer armband - 2009

www.thenational.ae/topic/subjects/40@40
www.youtube.com/TheNationalNewspaper

[PS I'm aware Object 6 is missing. Will add it here as soon as I get my hands on it.]

The United Arab Emirates Flag

© Hind Mezaina

The flag of the United Arab Emirates can be seen all around town, and I'm not just talking about flags on poles. I'm talking about very large flags draped on very large houses.

It's something I've never seen before, so curious to know who started this trend. I guess with the nation turning 40 on 2nd December, some people want to express their pride and joy. Or maybe just outdo their neighbours.

I drove around to take a few photos of the houses, but it suddenly turned dark and grey which aborted my mission. So here's a very small selection of photos I took with my phone. But I hope to share some more photos when I get a chance to go out to photograph again.


© Hind Mezaina

© Hind Mezaina

© Hind Mezaina

Here's an article from The National that explains the history of the flag, Teen who designed UAE's national flag was 'in a flutter'.

Black stands for the oil that helped transform his country. Green is for fertility and its green gardens. And white and red were already present in separate emirate flags, so I added on what was already there to signify our expansion into a unified entity. Abdullah Mohammad Al Maainah, the designer of the United Arab Emirates flag

Falaj in Al Ain

Continuing my posts to celebrate the upcoming 40th National Day of the United Arab Emirates, here's my latest post from Al Ain which is part of Abu Dhabi. It's known as the Garden City because it is one of the greenest cities in the country. When you drive from Dubai to Al Ain, the desert sand colour starts to change and you start seeing more trees as you start approaching it.

This video is about the traditional irrigation system called "Falaj" which according to this clip "existed in the Al Ain region at about 1,000 years BC, making it the oldest".

[via gulfnews.com]

Al Hamra Island in Ras Al Khaimah

Al Hamra Island (Red Island) in Ras Al Khaimah looks like a ghost town. This once inhabited island is now deserted.

Around the 1960s-1970s, the old town was largely deserted when the inhabitants moved out attracted by the prospect of better living conditions offered by the local government. People left behind their houses, mosques and shops, creating an undisturbed picture of life before the exploitation of oil. The village managed to survive almost intact until the 21^st century and now it is the best preserved coastal town in the UAE. (via rakpedia.com)

You can read more about Al Hamra Island here.

I've never been to this place, but after I saw this video, I'm very keen to go with camera in tow.

 

www.rakpedia.com/sightseeing/al-jazirah-al-hamra.html 

[via gulfnews.com]

Dubai, always on the move

 

I've been posting old videos of Dubai lately, so today here's a video of present Dubai showing you the shiny and glitzy side of the city.

Here's a video by Gopalakrishnan Ravindranathan called Dubai, always on the move.

Dubai, an iconic city of the 21st century, From towering landmarks to spectacular man-made islands, this city believes in pushing itself to the limit, again and again, has earned the reputation of a city that's always on the move, by always moving from one achievement to the other.

Music: Why by Greg Baumont (from the album Wood)

www.helium360.com

Super 8 Footage of Dubai and Sharjah in 1969

 

I am so happy I found Super 8 footage of Dubai and Sharjah in 1969 before the formation of the United Arab Emirates. It feels like I found a small treasure (despite the annoying URL that appears throughout the clips). These videos have been online for a couple if years, so I'm suprised I have not stumbled upon them before.

There is a third video which looks like it was shot by the RAF. (On a related topic and in case you'e not seen this before, watch this video.)


Enjoy the sites of Dubai and Sharjah from 1969.

Dubai 1969

Sharjah 1969

RAF Sharjah 1969

Cine film of RAF 'T-bird' Hunter flying FAC student with camera from RAF Sharjah to near Fujairah and landing back low level at RAF Sharjah. Old Control tower (still standing in Sharjah today) just visible at the end of the video.

Videos via handshaikh.com