• 11-day programme of educational and entertaining activities attract more than 500 children and young adults

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 28 August, 2016:   Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for heritage, arts and culture, has successfully concluded the Dubai Public Library summer programme, ‘Our Summer is Culture & Arts’, which was carried out under the theme 'We read for a happier tomorrow’.

An extensive range of activities were organised over the 11-day initiative, which ran from 7th to 18th August and achieved widespread success, with over 500 children and adults taking part in a variety of educational and entertaining activities. 

Fahad Al Mamari, Director of Dubai Public Library at Dubai Culture explains: “We are delighted with the high number and the positive feedback we received from the participants in this year’s ‘Our Summer is Culture & Arts’ programme. The success of this initiative greatly contributes towards achieving one of our fundamental goals, which is to support both the UAE National Strategy for Reading 2016-2026 and the Year of Reading 2016 initiatives, launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Commander of the Union Defence Force, and supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”

Al Mamari added: “Dubai Public Library is committed to aligning its efforts towards encouraging youth to take up a positive reading habit, making it an integral part of their lives. This year’s programme is a stepping stone to inspiring children and young adults from all across the Emirate to use Dubai Public Library’s facilities, through a series of enjoyable and engaging activities.”

Dubai Culture’s summer initiative was held across five Dubai Public Library branches: Al Twar, Al Rashidiya, Al Mankhool, Umm Suqeim, and Hatta. The activities were available free of charge to all members of Dubai Public Library, with a minimal fee for non-members. In addition, as part of the summer programme, Al Twar and Al Mankhool Libraries hosted a family-oriented activity themed ‘We Read for Our Future and We Innovate for Our Happiness’ which was attended by 50 participants.

The ‘Our Summer is Culture & Arts’ programme was open to all age groups, with activities centred around four key themes: happiness, reading, family and the future. A number of collective workshops and training courses all served to enrich the summer activities programme. 

The Dubai Public Library network includes eight libraries for adults and another seven for children, as well as multi-purpose halls and classrooms. All branches of the Dubai Public Library are connected via computer systems and have links with other modern libraries, providing access to vast sources of information and knowledge on an immense diversity of topics in both Arabic and English.