The government is planning a wide array of festive activities for a grand celebration of Maldives’ 60th anniversary of independence next month, the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has said.
Speaking to PSM News, the Ministry’s Director General, Athika Ibrahim the government has planned the celebration with a wide array of colourful and exciting activities spread over three days.
"On the 26th, a flag raising ceremony will be held in all inhabited islands in the morning. In the evening, there will be a parade of MNDF [Maldives National Defence Force] and Cadet Corps, two activities of four schools and a cultural item of the Ministry,” she detailed.
The Independence Day official reception will be held on the 27 July at 9:00 am. A parade and route march will be held at 4:15 pm. In the evening, there will be 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, Athika said, adding that the Ministry is also in talks with the National Centre for the Arts (NCA) to hold a film festival.
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.
Last year, the government had avoided a grand celebration by scrapping the Independence Day float procession and other festivities as part of the austerity measures taken to cut down on government expenditure.