For the first time in its history, the design of the UAE's commemorative stamp marking the 55th National Day has been opened to public participation. The competition, run jointly by the Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD) and Emirates Post under the theme "Be Part of History," invited residents and citizens to submit stamp designs reflecting the UAE's people, culture, innovation, heritage and vision for the future.
Entries closed on October 7. Each applicant was allowed to submit one entry containing between three and six designs, accompanied by a short concept statement explaining the idea behind the work. The open call marks a departure from previous years, when the national stamp design process was typically handled internally without public submissions.
A joint committee drawn from the boards of DCAD and Emirates Post will spend the coming weeks reviewing the entries before narrowing the field down to three finalists. The overall winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 3.
Cash prizes are on offer for the top three places: Dh10,000 for first place, Dh7,000 for second, and Dh3,000 for third. The winning design will go on to become the UAE's official commemorative stamp for the 55th National Day, produced and distributed by Emirates Post.
The initiative fits into a broader push by Abu Dhabi to widen public involvement in cultural and national-identity projects, giving residents and citizens a tangible way to contribute directly to one of the country's enduring national symbols.