Dubai Culture to host numerous activities in coming weeks

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage is putting the spotlight on the rich and varied facets of Emirati heritage, aimed at further strengthening the awareness of the city’s youth on the UAE heritage, through a gamut of educational and cultural activities at the annual Heritage Week until April 21, 2012.

Under the theme ‘Dubai: Live Our Heritage,’ and as part of the global celebrations to mark the World Heritage Day on April 18, the Heritage Week activities will be held at key heritage and cultural locations across the Emirate, in addition to the first participation of the Authority’s newly launched Cultural Centres in public schools.

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Dubai Culture will host a range of activities at Al Hudaibiah Primary School for kindergarten students, Al Kuwait Primary School for primary students and Sakina Bint Al Hussain School for secondary classes, which will be the focal points of the educational campaigns as part of the Heritage Week celebrations. The dedicated Cultural Centres at these institutions aim to highlight the importance of heritage.

An integral part of the Heritage Week programme are the diverse activities comprising workshops, talks, lectures, arts and crafts, among others, held at the historic Al Bastakiya, the cultural nerve-centre of the city; The Dubai Mall; Dubai Public Library; Ibn Battuta Mall; Arabian Centre; Hatta National Arts & Cultural Association and Dubai International Airport.

Salem Belyouha, Projects & Events Director, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “This year, we are focused on promoting Heritage Week through a range of educational activities – which are mainly aimed at instilling the customs of our region in our youth, from an early age. Additionally, visitors to Dubai, over the week, as well as residents will be able to obtain first-hand knowledge on the various traditional activities that are part of our Emirati identity. Understanding one’s past is important, as it serves as a reservoir of strength into future growth and development.”

The Cultural Centres will strengthen awareness on Emirati heritage in the students through a series of workshops, panels, performances, games, and tours, until April 21.

Al Bastakiya will showcase traditional cooking stations, the art of ceramic-making, games, arts & crafts, workshops, theatric performances, storytelling, lectures on the national animals, and falconry, among others, until April 19.

Dubai Public Library will host lectures on the various aspects of heritage at the Al Twar Public Library, Al Safa Library, and in Hatta Public Library, until April 19.

To further promote awareness, a strong focus has also been placed in the shopping malls as locations. The Dubai Mall will host a model heritage village, in addition to competitions, craftsmanship, photography studios, and educational sessions. The same activities will also be held at the Arabian Centre, and Ibn Battuta Mall, until April 21.

Dubai International Airport will give all visitors to the city the opportunity to experience the true essence of the city through Areesh tents, Henna stations, dedicated Coffee & Dates tents, and live craftsmen, until April 21.

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