May tree twist on National Day

Ancient tradition at international school celebrates German friendship with UAE.

Pupils of the German International School in Abu Dhabi celebrated National Day early by putting on a performance planned by Emirati artist Azza Al Qubaisi. German ambassador to the UAE, Dr Eckhard Lubkemeier, was also present. Mona Al Marzooqi / The NationalShow less

ABU DHABI // A school has combined the traditions of its home country with those of the UAE to mark National Day.

At the German International School on Wednesday, parents, teachers, pupils and dignitaries joined to take part in a special ceremony.

It involved giving the German tradition of dancing around a “Maibaum”, or May tree, a UAE twist by using palm branches, which are a symbol of this country.

The performance was planned by Emirati artist Azza Al Qubaisi, who said she was making a cultural statement through her work.

“Many people come to live in UAE and leave without even touching the palm tree, which is an icon of this country,” she said.

“On National Day, I always choose to work with palm branches. I worked on them for the 40th National Day and have decided to use them ever since.”

The German International School invited Al Qubaisi to be a part of the celebrations. She conducted workshops for three weeks at the school.

The palm branches were created by pupils, with her help.

“The beauty of the project this year is that it is a mix of two cultures – German and Emirati,” said Al Qubaisi, adding that the artwork was made of recycled materials.

Al Qubaisi will be marking National Day at her house by decorating it with palm branches in the colours of the UAE flag.

Doerte Christensen, headmistress of the school, said: “The presence of Azza Al Qubaisi at the event brightened the ceremony. So many people were engaged together as a community.

“She is a prominent Emirati artist and she offered to hold workshops with the students. She did a lot of work with them, the results of which are displayed in the foyer.”

The ceremony included more than 200 children who danced, sang, and acted.

The German ambassador to the UAE, Dr Eckhard Lubkemeier, was also present at the festivities.

He said: “I don’t get to spend much time with children but it is great to see them so happy today.

“We celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall and today we are celebrating UAE’s National Day at the school.

“For many of us, this is our home and we thank the Emiratis for their warm welcome.”

Vera Dudden, a German who has been living in Abu Dhabi for five years, said this year’s National Day celebrations at the school were the best she had seen.

“The performances and organisation are really good. It was very different when I came here five years ago.

“The presence of the artist made the event more special,” said Ms Dudden, whose children study at the school.