Dubai Culture’s School of Life returns this December with workshops celebrating Emirati heritage, arts, music, and hands-on learning for all ages.
DUBAI: This December, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is set to transform the city’s public libraries into cultural hubs once again through its flagship School of Life initiative. With a focus on Emirati heritage and local traditions, the programme brings together art, music, language, and wellbeing in over 26 interactive sessions designed to engage the community across generations.
Running under Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, the School of Life aims to provide residents and visitors with opportunities to develop practical and creative skills in an accessible, community-based environment. The upcoming workshops will take place across various Dubai Public Libraries including Al Safa, Al Mankhool, Al Twar, Al Rashidiya, and Hatta.
Among the highlights is a calligraphy experience titled ‘Baybayin x Arabic Calligraphy’ at Al Mankhool Public Library, exploring the visual connection between Filipino and Arabic scripts. Other notable activities include ‘Clay Hand building’ in collaboration with Tashkeel, and ‘Painting on Woven Palm,’ which allows participants to use natural materials to decorate traditional Emirati items.
Children will be immersed in interactive storytelling and food-based fun, from crafting patriotic mini sandwiches to designing fruit platters inspired by UAE landmarks. The Language Club sessions at Al Twar Public Library will blend Arabic language learning with creative tasks like building landmark models.
Music lovers can join the ‘Choral in Arabic: Nation’s Heritage’ sessions, bringing together children in choral workshops celebrating Arab and local musical traditions.
Workshops like ‘Painting on Concrete,’ ‘Camel Plush Workshop,’ and ‘Paint Your Mini Barjeel’ aim to instil a love for local culture through creative play and hands-on art-making. Classical calligraphy sessions, storytelling through modern fiction, and watercolour explorations of Emirati landscapes further deepen the cultural engagement.
By creating this diverse lineup, Dubai Culture reinforces the library system’s evolving role as centres of culture and learning, where residents can connect with their roots and each other in a meaningful and artistic way.
