Dubai, UAE, 28 November 2024 – Emirates is marking the 53rd UAE Eid Al Etihad, which falls on December 2, with an extensive cultural celebration that embraces local traditions and sustainability. The airline’s festivities include in-flight regional sweet treats, Emirati delicacies in Dubai lounges, and a library of local sustainability stories, Emirati music, podcasts, and films available on Emirates’ inflight entertainment system (ice).
Emirates Celebrates UAE Eid Al Etihad with Cultural Festivities
The celebrations kicked off with a special UAE Eid Al Etihad event at Emirates Group Headquarters on November 28. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, led the commemoration with a cake-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the heritage village, a display of regional handicrafts, and live performances. Employees engaged in interactive cultural activities, celebrating the spirit of unity and national pride.
Emirates Lounges Highlight Emirati Cuisine and Sustainable Practices for UAE Eid Al Etihad
UAE Eid Al Etihad celebrates the unity of the seven emirates and marks the nation’s commitment to a sustainable future. Emirates customers can explore this commitment through multiple episodes available on ice, including food sustainability programmes focused on Hatta Strawberry Farm and Dibba Bay oysters. Additionally, the Dubai & UAE category offers shows on art and design, featuring Emirati architect Reema Al Mheiri’s work on bio-materiality and architectural sustainability. Customers can also learn from architect Ahmed Bukhash, who applies ancient wisdom to address extreme weather and sun intensity.
The cultural celebration from Emirates offers more than 80 Arabic and Emirati films on ice, including popular titles like Thalatha, Al Aasha Al Aaely El Akhir, and Nasseem. Customers can also enjoy over 40 Arabic TV shows, such as Al Boom and Khattaf, along with an informative documentary on the UAE, Al Emarat: Masiret Al Ezza’ W Al Enjaz. For those seeking audio content, Emirates features the Fazza – Qassed Fazza podcast, a series of poems by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as a wide selection of Khaleeji albums from Emirati artists like Hussain Al Jassmi and Hazza’ah Al Minhali.
Emirates Lounges Showcase Emirati Cuisine
In cultural celebration, Emirates will offer a variety of treats to customers travelling on flights departing Dubai between December 2-4. Passengers will receive a mini gift box containing sweet treats including loomi cheesecake and chocolate cardamom brownie for First, Business, and Premium Economy Class customers. Economy Class travellers will enjoy chocolate and date truffles. Aboard the A380 Onboard Lounge, passengers can sample regional delights such as pistachio namoura, date cake, and cardamom cake with date slices and dried rose petals.
In the Emirates First Class Lounges in Dubai, passengers can indulge in traditional Emirati dishes like chicken machbous and desserts including karak profiteroles and Umm Ali spheres. Business Class passengers will enjoy lamb ouzi made with locally sourced lamb, complemented by treats such as Arabic coffee delice and loomi rose profiteroles. Both First and Business Class customers can cool off with locally made ice cream from the Emirates ice-cream cart, available in Halwa and Arabic coffee flavours.
Emphasising Sustainability in Dining
As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Emirates will highlight locally sourced ingredients across its lounges. First and Business Class guests will enjoy dishes featuring locally sourced products, such as luqaimat from Ajman and date syrup from Sharjah, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and reducing its environmental footprint.
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