DUBAI // Hundreds of children learnt about different cultures and traditions after their school was transformed for International Day.
Mirdif Private School was awash with flags and colourful decorations as students, staff and parents marked the occasion.
“We have 45 nationalities represented among the students, mostly from the Middle East and Asia, so this is a chance for them to learn more about the world,” said Shama Noman, head of the school’s International Day committee.
Visitors were entertained with performances of traditional Dabkeh dancing performed by a professional Lebanese dancing group.
The Liwa band performed classical Emirati dances, and an African band also proved popular with students.
“We set up 14 stalls showcasing the customs and heritage of different countries, and children went round with questionnaires to find out more about each,” said Ms Noman.
Some of the countries included in the stands were the UAE, Ireland, Lebanon, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Iraq, Spain and South Africa.
Visitors to each stall were treated to the foods, dress, music and culture of each country.
“One of the great things about the day was that pupils took part in the traditions of other countries to learn more about it,” said Ms Noman.
“We had Emiratis taking part in Bollywood dancing, and children from different nationalities getting a taste of other cultures.”
Not to be left out, a team of teachers, who were mostly from Ireland, performed a traditional Irish dance for the school’s visitors.
Mirdif Private School has a total of 750 pupils from kindergarden to grade nine, and International Day helped to reinforce the school’s desire to promote character development, tolerance and self-discipline, said Ms Noman.
nhanif@thenational.ae
