The government has begun training personnel from across the country as it prepares to officially roll-out the initiative to document the life stories and memories of senior citizens amid efforts to preserve the country’s rich history and culture, Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim has revealed.
Minister Adam Naseer said efforts are now underway to officially roll-out the initiative to collect the oral history of senior citizens, which includes gathering relevant resources, material and translations.
The Minister said most of the senior citizens would have acquired many local skills over the past 50 or 60 years which will be recorded so that the country can preserve such traits and characteristics for future generations, adding that such vital information can be utilised in developing islands and restore the true identity of Maldivians.
"Under this national initiative, we are working with different islands to train people first. Introduce them to how this will work and how it is done,” he explained.
The Minister said this initiative is a huge task to identify the skills, characteristics and the unique ingenuity of the Maldivian people, which he pledged to officially commence this year.
Minister stresses importance of grand independence day celebration
Minister Adam Naseer also hit back at criticism of the government’s plan to celebrate the forthcoming Independence Day, insisting that such grand celebrations are critical to teaching the younger generation of its value.
"On Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom given to us by our ancestors. So it's vital to reflect on it and connect our past to the present, by everyone, the young, the old, public and officials, coming together as one to celebrate such an important national occasion," he explained.
The government is planning a wide array of festive activities for a grand celebration for all age groups, he said.
The Independence Day official reception will be held on 27 July followed by a military parade and route march capped off by a fireworks display in the reclaimed suburb, Hulhumale’.
On the morning of 28 July, the National Award for Public Service ceremony will be held followed by a parade and route march in Hulhumale’ later in the evening.
In addition to the official activities, there will be a photography competition open to the public and an essay writing and drawing competition for school children.
The official logo for the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day has been unveiled, selected from over 30 submissions.
Independence Day, celebrated annually on July 26, marks the day in 1965 when the Maldives gained independence from British colonial rule, which had begun in 1887.