Dubai Culture Successfully Concludes its ‘Our Summer is Arts & Culture’ 2017 Programme at the Dubai Public Library

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has concluded its ‘Our Summer is Arts  & Culture’ programme, which was hosted across five of the Authority’s Dubai Public Library branches from 16th July to 10th August 2017.  

The programme was divided into two phases, with the Al Rashidiya, Hatta and Mankhool library branches hosting activities from 16th to 27th July, and the Al Twar and Umm Suqeim branches taking over from 29th July to 10th August.

Dr. Hissa bin Masoud, Director of Dubai Public Library at Dubai Culture, commented: “This programme was launched to enhance children’s’ skills through fun, educational activities that allowed them to make the most of their free time during the summer break. With the wide range of activities that were organised, we were happy to attract a high level of attendance and receive a record level of positive feedback from parents.”

Dr. Hissa added: “This year’s programme attracted 138 new library members and 310 participants, and was filled with a host of activities that were tailored to children’s interests according to their various age groups. Our activities that supported reading, including story writing and storytelling, proved to be particularly popular.”  

The programme focused on enhancing the participants’ grammar skills through special sessions that focused on this area of development. Participants were invited to express their opinions on the best ways to improve children’s reading and writing skills during brainstorming sessions, and also produced a 3D book with animated stories as part of the programme.

Some of the activities that especially delighted children were workshops on the magic of chemical reactions, innovations and scientific researches, circuits, and creating 3D forms with paper. The programme also offered chess fans the chance to improve their game with classmates and featured character building sessions. Some children opted to join the Taekwondo course, while others preferred to participate in workshops dedicated to accounting and ceramics, or programmes focused on challenges and objectives, body language, acrylic forming, positive tolerance and creative thinking.

The Dubai Public Library network includes eight libraries for adults and another seven for children. Some branches feature multi-purpose halls, classrooms and exhibition spaces and all branches of the Dubai Public Library are connected via computer systems. This has established close links with other modern libraries, providing access to vast sources of information on a diversity of topics in both Arabic and English