The UAE flag and the image of Zayed and Rashid decorate the Alpine peaks

The team of the “Our Flag on the Top” initiative, which bears the slogan “From sand dunes to snowy peaks,” succeeded in raising the flag of the UAE, and a picture of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God rest their souls, above one of the peaks of the French Alps in the Valtournes region, in a symbolic scene that indicates the nation’s elevation and the sophistication of its aspirations, and confirms the determination of its people to reach the peaks in various regions. The fields.

This comes in conjunction with the 54th Union Day celebrations, and in cooperation between “Brand Dubai”, the creative arm of the Dubai Government Media Office, and the “Emirates Skaters Academy”, and in support of the objectives of the “Zayed and Rashid” campaign in its second year, the first edition of which was launched last year under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

This step comes within the framework of the “Our Flag Above the Top” initiative, which was launched by the Emirates Skaters Academy 14 years ago, in the first partnership the initiative holds with a government entity represented by “Brand Dubai”. This event constitutes a national event at the end of the “Year of Community” and before the “Year of the Family”, as the initiative this year witnesses a remarkable participation of a family that includes a father and his children on the mission team, in a step that embodies the values ​​of interconnectedness and cohesion.

The organizers were keen for participation to reflect the diversity of Emirati society, and to express the spirit of teamwork and national solidarity.

The team departed from Dubai to the city of Geneva, before continuing its journey to the Valtourence resort in the French Alps, where intensive training was conducted in preparation for ascending the summit and raising the flag and a picture of Zayed and Rashid, each with dimensions of 3 x 1 metres.
The team included 10 participants from the UAE’s elite skiers, who underwent an integrated training program that enabled them to deal with the nature of the snowy track and the conditions of high altitudes, so that their ascent to the summit and their raising of the state flag and the image of “Zayed and Rashid” constituted an influential national painting, through which they expressed their pride in representing their country in one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world.

Director of Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Dubai Government Media Office, Shaima Al Suwaidi, said on this occasion that this initiative embodies the image of the Emirates that we always want to see in the minds of the world. A country that constantly strives for the summit, and believes in the ability of its youth to transform ambitions into tangible achievements.

She added that raising the state flag and the image of “Zayed and Rashid” above the peaks of the French Alps, in cooperation with the “Emirates Skiers Academy”, comes as an extension of “Brand Dubai’s” message aimed at highlighting the inspiring models of the people of the country, and highlighting their success stories in various fields, expressing pride that this trip will be part of the 54th Federation Day celebrations, with the symbolism it carries that confirms the cohesion between society and its leadership.

For his part, the founding partner of the Emirates Skiers Academy, Ibrahim Ali Khadem, expressed his happiness at announcing the arrival of the “Our Flag Above the Summit” initiative team to the peaks of the French Alps, raising the country’s flag and the image of “Zayed and Rashid,” as part of an exceptional trip in which an elite group of Emirati skiers participated.

He added that the initiative coincides with our dear country’s celebration of the 54th Union Day, to be a national message that embodies the connection of the UAE’s youth to the values ​​of leadership and achievement, and highlights an honorable image of their commitment to raising the name and flag of their country above the summits and in international forums.

Immediately upon the team’s arrival at the Valtorance Summit and raising the UAE flag and a picture of “Zayed and Rashid,” the national anthem was chanted in an atmosphere full of pride and honor, while the participants took photos documenting this historic moment, which represents the culmination of weeks of preparations, and consolidates the meanings of belonging and loyalty to the nation and its wise leadership.

The Emirates Ski Academy launched the “Our Flag on the Top” initiative 14 years ago, with the aim of strengthening the spirit of patriotism and ambition among young people by raising the UAE flag on mountaintops around the world, and consolidating the country’s image as a symbol of excellence, giving and innovation.

Since its launch, the initiative has succeeded in delivering the UAE flag to a number of the most prominent snowy peaks in the world, recording successive milestones of achievement, and inspiring new generations of Emirati athletes to engage in sporting and humanitarian experiences that reflect the nation’s values ​​and ambitious spirit.

The geographical and logistical data reflect the level of preparation and organization that accompanied this trip. The team covered more than 5,000 kilometers from Dubai International Airport to the Valtournes resort in the French Alps, in a flight that took about ten hours, followed by a land trip from Geneva Airport to Valtourence for a distance of approximately 220 kilometers, including about 90 kilometers of winding mountain roads and continuous ascent.

The UAE flag and a picture of “Zayed and Rashid” were raised above a peak exceeding 3,300 meters above sea level, in a winter atmosphere in which the temperature ranged from 3 to 9 degrees Celsius below zero.