The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority presents innovative interactive activities and creative workshops through its 'Schools of Life' initiative. This program aims to provide an innovative educational environment that contributes to the development of life, cultural, and creative skills, and enhances communication and positive thinking among various community segments. The initiative, which falls under Dubai's Quality of Life Strategy, will feature over 34 workshops and interactive sessions in February, combining knowledge and creativity. It will allow library visitors to explore the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy, discover the masterpieces of Arabic literature, develop their musical abilities, enrich their linguistic knowledge, and enhance their life skills. This will help transform Dubai's public libraries into vibrant knowledge centers, platforms for continuous learning and community participation, and solidify Dubai's status as a global cultural hub, a breeding ground for creativity, and a meeting point for talents. This month, Rashidiya Library will host the 'Little Scientists in the World of Discovery' workshop, offering children the chance to explore innovation concepts through engaging scientific experiments that build their self-confidence and spirit of cooperation. Meanwhile, Safa Library for Arts and Design will feature an interactive reading session titled 'Winnie-the-Pooh', along with workshops on 'Block Printing on Fabrics' and 'My Future with Artificial Intelligence'. Rashidiya Library will also hold a 'Hairbrush Painting' workshop to turn everyday tools into innovative art pieces. Umm Suqeim Library will host the 'Library Golem' reading session to redefine children's relationship with the library, transforming it into a space buzzing with imagination and discovery. Twar Public Library will conduct a '3D Pen Designs' workshop to empower participants to learn the basics of 3D pen drawing and convert simple ideas and sketches into creative three-dimensional models. As part of the 'Health and Nutrition' Club, Nada Said Qatan from the club will oversee a 'Cupcake in a Cup' workshop at Hatta Public Library. Visitors to Rashidiya Library and participants in the 'Decorating Chocolate Boards' workshop will get to experience a unique blend of art and fun, exploring innovative ways to use various colors, flavors, and decorations to turn chocolate into beautiful art pieces. With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, the 'Family Development' Club at Dhaif-Safa will present a 'Preparing for Ramadan' workshop, where Jihan Safar from the club will focus on mental and spiritual preparation methods and organizing daily habits to help participants welcome the holy month with a balanced and positive spirit. The 'Book Club's' 'Novel Encounters' will celebrate Omar Al Ansari's novel 'Harzat Tala'. Patrons of Safa Library for Arts and Design can look forward to a literary session supervised by Maimoon Al Sharif to discuss the novel, which blends fiction and reality and tackles themes of identity and memory in an engaging and profound narrative style. Under the 'Languages' Club at Twar Public Library, 'Arabkali' experts will conduct two sessions: 'Innovative Architecture' and 'Eco-friendly Materials'. The goal is to encourage children to think creatively and empower them to explore ways of transforming elements of local heritage, Arabic patterns, and calligraphy into unique ideas and designs for modern buildings, as well as learn about mechanisms for using eco-friendly materials to design the cities of the future. Safa Library will host the 'Creative Writing: Reimagining the Short Story' session, organized by Sahab Group under the supervision of Louis Gart. The session aims to stimulate participants to rethink the form of the short story by exploring non-traditional narrative structures and innovative beginnings and endings that transcend the usual narrative pattern. As part of 'Schools of Life' this month, Safa Library, in cooperation with 'Cordon', will host events for the 'Music and Performing Arts' Club, including a 'Choir in Arabic: Ramadan' workshop. This workshop aims to train children in vocal warm-up exercises, breathing control techniques, vocal layer tuning, and the pronunciation of letters and words. The program will also include performing a medley of the two songs 'Ramadan Gana' and 'Aqbal Qamark' accompanied by simple theatrical movements, concluding with a final performance and a collective reflection on the meaning of the holy month of Ramadan. Calligrapher Mohammed Al-Timimi will also conduct a 'Fundamentals of Arabic Calligraphy' workshop. The 'Book Club's' 'Novel Encounters' will celebrate the novel 'Harzat Tala'.
