44 rockets in six feet tall tribute to fallen heroes

Dubai - The models of rockets of the 1950s have been created by craftsmen at Al Saqr Fiberglass Factory in Sharjah.

The logic behind using the number 44 in creative works to celebrate the 44th UAE National Day is not at all rocket science.
Nevertheless, a unique tribute of 44 rocket models has been made to attract the young generation to space science, a topic rarely celebrated on such occasions.
Commissioned by the UAE's Space Agency, the models of rockets of the 1950s have been created by craftsmen at Al Saqr Fiberglass Factory in Sharjah's Emirates Industrial City.
As the country gears up for its Mars mission in the coming years, the UAE Space Agency wanted to use a unique theme linked to space science for celebrating the National Day this year, according to Puzhankara Vijayan, MD and CEO of the factory.
"The agency wanted a tribute that people can relate with space.It also wanted the participation of students so as to attract the young generation to the topic," Vijayan told Khaleej Times.
The firm was behind the camels' and Arabian horses' statues on several Dubai streets, iconic buildings, and venues of major events.
Vijayan said 22 workers of the firm toiled for 12 hours a day to build the mini replicas of old rockets.
"It took two weeks for them to finish making the 44 rockets that are six feet tall."
Made of glass reinforced composites, the model rockets were white in colour.
Later, they were painted beautifully by students from UAE universities who were selected through a design contest.
"The contest for art work on the rockets received about 1,850 entries. Of that 44 female students were selected," said Vijayan.
Undoubtedly, the pictures of the rulers of the country, its flag and forts and cultural symbols like fishing, pearl diving, dhows and date palms as well as iconic modern buildings in the country have found their place in the art works. While two rockets have been exclusively dedicated for paying tributes to the martyrs who have fallen for the country, pictures of astronauts, stars and Mars have also been painted on some other rockets to reinforce the theme of space science.
The rockets will be on display at an exhibition to be hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority from today.
The exhibition will be held in Manarat Al Saadiyat - Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island.
Vijayan said the rockets will be displayed at prominent buildings and streets one month after the National Day celebrations.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com