Maldives Celebrates Independence Day with ‘Minivan Ufaa’ Carnival

Maldives Celebrates Independence Day with ‘Minivan Ufaa’ Carnival

A Grand Inauguration

The ‘Minivan Ufaa’ carnival, an event marking Maldives’ Independence Day, was inaugurated in Hulhumalé by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The First Lady, Fazna Ahmed, Vice President Faisal Naseem, Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla, Managing Director of Urbanco Ahmed Athif, and other high-ranking government officials attended the event.

This collaborative carnival, which runs until August 3, is a joint effort between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Urbanco, Dhiraagu, Ooredoo Maldives, the State Trading Organization (STO), State Electric Company Limited (STELCO), and the Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

Highlights from the Carnival Grounds

Upon arrival at Central Park, the carnival’s location, the First Couple were greeted by Minister Imran and his spouse. They toured the carnival, visiting various stalls and observing stage performances, and a drone show, which was a first for the Maldives. The drone show was organized with the support of the Bank of Maldives, Dhiraagu, and the Ministry of Tourism. The First Couple also watched a fireworks display and paramotor activity.

Attractions and Activities

The carnival offers a variety of attractions including food stalls from local bakers, a karaoke box, a laser park, and many more. Visitors also have the chance to win a seven-day trip to Bali, Indonesia, courtesy of Ooredoo Maldives. The trip includes tickets, accommodation at a four-star hotel, and tours of popular tourist sites in Bali. To enter the draw, visitors need to scan a QR code while at the carnival.

Postponement and Health Concerns

Originally scheduled to kick off earlier, the event had been postponed due to the rapid spread of a norovirus infection in the Malé area. The Minivan Ufaa carnival’s opening was delayed on advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), following a significant increase in hospital admissions related to vomiting and diarrhea symptoms. The outbreak was identified as an infection caused by the highly contagious norovirus, known for its rapid spread.

Independence Day Celebrations Amid Challenges

Despite the health challenges, the Maldivian government decided to proceed with the carnival, ensuring that all necessary precautions were taken to prevent further spread of the virus. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Urbanco, the event’s organizers, ensured that the carnival offered a wide range of activities for the public to enjoy, including game stalls, a cave of horror, a food street, floats, a circus show featuring foreign talent, live music, a karaoke box, and a fireworks display.

With numerous activities planned to mark the 58th anniversary of Maldives’ independence, the ‘Minivan Ufaa’ carnival was indeed a must-visit event, providing a fun and comfortable atmosphere for families and friends to come together and celebrate the nation’s independence.