HIPA Celebrates United Arab Emirates National Day

Hamdan International Photography (HIPA) has celebrated the 41st anniversary of the United Arab Emirates national day by launching galleries showcasing photography in Dubai. The award, launched in 2011 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoumm, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is currently in its second season of competition and is set to boast the largest grand prize award in the world.



A gallery showcasing various photographs from the UAE’s history was set up at building number 3 in the arrivals terminal in the Dubai International airport. The gallery was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. Photographs in the gallery included shots from the archives of the Al Bayan newspaper in the United Arab Emirates, including some from the formation of the UAE in 1971.



A gallery was also launched in the main atrium of Dubai mall which was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The gallery included photographs by students from Zayed University’s photography club. The gallery saw a great turnout of visitors who were drawn to the unique design of the corridors as well as the wide variety of photographs from all around the UAE.

Ali Bin Thailth, the Secretary General of HIPA indicated that the award’s National day participations 'fell right in line with the strategic plan of the award to promote the United Arab Emirates as a global leader in photography. By showcasing photography within the celebrations of our national day at locations throughout Dubai known to attract a large amount of international visitors, we promoted the UAE and the art of photography to a large and interested audience. We believe that we left a lasting impression on everyone that visited our galleries at the Dubai international airport and the Dubai mall gallery which will run until 10 December 2012.'

The UAE national day was celebrated on 2 December of this year, marking the 41st anniversary of the formation of the United Arab Emirates. The anniversary is a public holiday with fireworks and public decorations being common forms of celebration amongst the general public.

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