Dubai, UAE – The “Our Flag Above the Summit” initiative team, which bears the slogan “From Sand Dunes to Snowy Peaks”, succeeded in raising the UAE flag and a picture of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, above one of the peaks of the French Alps in Valtourance region.
This is in a symbolic scene that indicates the nation’s elevation and the advancement of its aspirations, and confirms the determination of its people to reach summits in various fields.
This comes in conjunction with the 54th Federation Day celebrations, and in cooperation between Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Dubai Government Media Office, and the Emirates Skiers Academy, and in support of the goals of the Zayed and Rashid campaign in its second year.
The first edition was launched last year under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
This step comes within the framework of the “Our Flag is Above the Top” initiative, launched by the Emirates Skiers Academy 14 years ago.
This is the first partnership concluded by the initiative with a government agency represented by Brand Dubai.
This event is a national event at the conclusion of the “Year of Society” and before the “Year of the Family”, as the initiative witnesses this year a remarkable participation of a family that includes a father and his children within the mission team, in a step that embodies the values of cohesion and solidarity.
The organizers were keen for the participation to reflect the diversity of Emirati society and express the spirit of teamwork and national solidarity.
The team set off from Dubai to Geneva, before continuing its journey to the Valturance resort in the French Alps.
Intensive training was conducted in preparation for climbing the summit and raising the flag and a picture of Zayed and Rashid, each with dimensions of 3×1 metres.
Elite participants
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 snow track and high altitude conditions.
Their ascent to the summit, raising the state flag and the image of Zayed and Rashid, formed a touching national painting, through which they expressed their pride in representing their country in one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world.
Immediately after the team reached the top of Valturance and raised the UAE flag and the image of “Zayed and Rashid”, the national anthem was chanted in an atmosphere full of pride and honor.
The participants took photos documenting this historic moment, which represents the culmination of weeks of preparations and establishes meanings of belonging and loyalty to the homeland and its wise leadership.
The Emirates Skiers Academy launched the “Our Flag is Above the Top” initiative 14 years ago.
With the aim of enhancing the spirit of patriotism and ambition among young people by raising the UAE flag on mountain peaks around the world, and consolidating the country’s image as a symbol of distinction, giving and innovation.
Since its launch, the initiative has succeeded in bringing the UAE flag to a number of the world’s most prominent snow summits, 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 UAE flag and the image of Zayed and Rashid were raised over a peak exceeding 3,300 meters above sea level, in winter conditions where the temperature ranged between 3 and 9 degrees Celsius below zero.
