Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has unveiled the 'City of Knowledge' performance, a theatrical experience aimed at raising children's awareness about the importance of learning and knowledge, and their role in nurturing generations capable of adapting to change and facing challenges. The performance also highlights their value as one of the cornerstones of success in life. This initiative aligns with the authority's commitments and efforts to provide a safe environment that fosters positive thinking in young people and develops their abilities in various cultural fields. The performance, which will take place next Saturday and Sunday, features nine children from the 'Talents' program organized by the Jalila Cultural Centre for Children. The program aims to attract youth aged eight to 14 and provide them with an opportunity to discover and develop their artistic abilities, confirming the authority's commitment to nurturing the new generation and enhancing their presence on the cultural scene, as well as promoting the role of performing arts as an effective tool for self-expression and personality development. Written by Saifund Ghandour, the performance's story revolves around a young girl who believes bad luck follows her in life. She embarks on a journey in search of answers that leads her to meet five main characters: a warrior, a queen, a wise woman, a patron, and a lion. During her journey, she discovers that real change lies in learning, growth, and self-awareness, and the answers she seeks are within her. Directed by Alaa Hammad, the performance is accompanied by a narrator who guides the audience through the journey's details in an interactive narrative style that enriches the visual and emotional experience, offering the audience a comprehensive experience that combines entertainment and knowledge. Jalila Cultural Centre for Children Director Ahlam Bani stressed Dubai Culture's commitment to investing in children's potential and using arts as an effective tool to build the awareness of future generations through designing qualitative programs and initiatives that contribute to shaping their cultural awareness. She said: 'The Talents program constitutes a vital path to qualify a new generation of young creators, motivating them to explore their capabilities, unleash their imagination, and hone their skills in self-expression within a space that combines entertainment and creativity. This is achieved by involving them in specialized artistic workshops focused on teaching the basics of acting, physical expression, and methods of creating scenes and building characters, which contributes to developing their on-stage performance.' She also noted that the 'City of Knowledge' performance is the fruit of a series of performance experiences participated in by several emerging talents, reflecting their advanced levels of artistic performance and their ability to embody their roles with high professionalism, which confirms the program's success in achieving its goals of preparing a conscious and competent generation that possesses the tools of artistic expression and contributes to enriching the cultural and creative movement in the emirate. Through the 'Talents' program, the Jalila Cultural Centre for Children aims to provide a comprehensive educational and creative ecosystem that enables children to discover their potential and capabilities in performing arts and produce quality works that allow them to participate in significant cultural events, including the Sikka Arts and Design Festival, the Dubai School Theatre Festival, and others, which enhances their self-confidence and supports the development and sustainability of their artistic experience. Ahlam Bani: 'Dubai Culture is keen to invest in children's talents and use arts as an effective tool to build the awareness of future generations.'
