The Dubai Public Library, under the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for heritage, culture and the arts, has launched the ‘Our Summer is all about Arts & Culture’ initiative featuring fun and educational summer activities for children and adults, to be held from June 26 to July 21, 2011.
In line with the commitment of the Authority to strengthen the cultural scene of Dubai and its diverse community, the Dubai Public Library has designed a programme that encompasses a wealth of educational experiences. These include 23 training sessions held in association with various organisations, 40 educational sessions, and 67 dedicated workshops.
The summer activities cover arts and crafts, etiquette lessons, Arabic script lessons on three types of Calligraphy (Al Naseh, Al Diwani, and Al Riqqah), Holy Quran lessons, stamp exhibitions, and workshops on first aid, gardening, fine arts, embroidery and origami. There are also sessions dedicated to inculcate in children the love for reading, writing, research, and appreciating the written word.
The activities will be held across the public libraries in Dubai including Al Twar Public Library, Hor Al Anz Public Library, Al Rashidya Public Library, Al Safa Public Library, Umm Suqueim Electronic Library, and Hatta Public Library.
Mohammed Al Araidi, Head of Dubai Public Library Department, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “This summer, the Dubai Public Library is introducing training sessions and workshops that will play a significant role in the development of a rich literary and cultural infrastructure of Dubai. An important community space, the Dubai Public Library will serve as platforms for cross-cultural dialogue, giving children and adults opportunities to take part in an array of activities that will foster an understanding and appreciation for our heritage, culture, the arts, and literature.”
“Through efficient services and state-of-the-art technology, as well as the expertise of the various individuals and organisations working with the library, the summer activities will provide the participants a rewarding educational experience,” he added.
The activities will be spread over four weeks, with sessions for toddlers, young children, and adults. During the first week, to run from June 26 – 30, the children activities will start for those of age 6 to 12 years where they will learn the Holy Quran, Calligraphy and story writing. The Al Safa Public Library and the Hatta Public Library will host a research writing session, stamp exhibition, workshop on perfume bottle designing, and radio competition.
From July 3 – 7, activities will include agriculture workshops, Calligraphy, fine arts exhibition, embroidery workshops, hat painting, and lectures on education.
The third week, July 7 – 14, will encompass design-your-own bracelet and jewelry box designing workshops, exhibitions on young talent, stamps, and dangers of drugs, and lectures on education. The final week of the summer activities, from July 17 – 21, will feature health and road safety sessions, knitting and pottery design workshops, as well as lectures on our society and community.
