In Pictures

In Pictures: Maldives celebrates 54th Independence Day

The festivities included mass games, a route march and a float parade.

Published

5 years ago

July 28, 2019

Celebratory activities organised by the government to mark the 54th anniversary of gaining independence from the British took place in the capital over the weekend.

Mass games at the national stadium on Friday night was followed by a route march and float parade the next day. The streets of Malé were packed on Saturday afternoon as a vehicle ban was imposed from 4pm to 6pm.

Ahead of his Independence Day address to the nation, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed hosted a reception on Thursday night for state and foreign dignitaries.

The main event at the Galolhu stadium featured a parade by the army and schools as well as a drill accompanied by a laser show. School children performed scenes depicting the struggle against Portuguese and Malabar rule, and the 1988 coup attempt led by Tamil mercenaries.

On Saturday afternoon, the first couple observed the route parade march by soldiers and school children and posed for photos with members of the public.

The float parade on Saturday night was presented by government offices and state-owned companies. It resumed after a two-year hiatus.

The festivities are due to continue on Sunday – which was declared a public holiday due to the “large number of students, civil servants, and public sector staff participating in the Independence Day celebratory events” – with a route march in the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé and a display of the float parade items at the Ekuveni sports complex.

The second night of the ‘Dhivehi Fannaanunge Miuzikee Eid’ with local artists and bands will also take place at the Alimas carnival stage in Malé’s eastern waterfront from 8:30pm to midnight.

Burj Khalifa celebrates the 54th Independence Day of the #Maldives. Thank you @emaardubai for this wonderful gesture. May the strong brotherly relations that exist between the #Maldives and the #UAE continue to prosper. @MDVForeign pic.twitter.com/1DEvWgHAym

— Maldives Embassy UAE (@mdvembuae) July 26, 2019