As part of the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is rolling out a dynamic lineup of 38 creative workshops this May through its School of Life initiative. Held across public libraries and cultural hubs in the city, the program celebrates the Year of Community and Erth Dubai, promoting local heritage, creative expression, and intergenerational learning.
Celebrating Identity and Folklore Through Interactive Learning
The School of Life activities will be hosted at various locations including Dubai Public Library branches, the Etihad Museum, Thukher Club, and Al Shindagha Museum. These sessions aim to nurture life skills and cultural awareness while encouraging storytelling and creative exploration. In alignment with Erth Dubai, the initiative captures narratives that map Dubai’s evolution and its residents’ experiences.
At Etihad Museum, a TEDx talk titled ‘UAE Identity’ will spotlight youth perspectives on national identity. The session will highlight how core Emirati values are reflected across art, media, and education, emphasizing the role of the Arabic language in preserving traditions while embracing innovation.
For younger participants, Umm Suqeim Library presents ‘The Little Reporter: UAE Community Values’, introducing journalism basics such as storytelling, report writing, and critical thinking. Al Rashidiya Library hosts ‘Puppet Show: Bringing Emirati Folktales to Life’, transforming age-old stories into engaging performances. At Al Shindagha Museum, visitors can delve into ‘Preserving Cultural Identity’, a session on turning historical landmarks into living exhibitions. Meanwhile, ‘Reimagining Community Spaces’ encourages participants to repurpose public venues into creative learning environments.
Wellness, Art, and Skill-Building for All Ages
The Wellness and Nutrition Club at Hatta Public Library invites families to a jam-making session with Nada Kattan, while Al Safa Art & Design Library hosts a Pilates class for women and a series of art workshops. Among them, a painting masterclass by Benedicte Gimonnet, and ‘Portraits of Memory: A Collage Journey’ by Abeer Al Edani offer tactile storytelling experiences. Children can also enjoy ‘Create Your Own Lamp’ and ‘Paint Your Own Cap’ sessions led by Medaf Studio.
The Book Club brings young readers into the fold with ‘Kameel’s Little Secret’, a story about a camel’s journey through kindness and self-confidence. Over at Al Twar Library, the STEM Club hosts ‘Green Leader Challenge’, where families collaborate on sustainability projects. Meanwhile, Al Mankhool Public Library’s Career Club introduces ‘Entrepreneurship Open Day – From Idea to Pitch’, using the Odoo platform to guide attendees from concept creation to final pitch.
Chess lovers can explore advanced strategies in ‘Chess 201: Think Before You Move’ and ‘Chess 201: The Secret Language of the Chessboard’, both aimed at enhancing foresight and tactical thinking. Berlitz will lead the Language Club’s ‘French 101’, introducing basic phrases and cultural insights for beginners.
For calligraphy enthusiasts, Al Mankhool Library’s Calligraphy Club offers two Baybayin script sessions—one applying it to traditional Emirati crafts, and another transforming notebooks into artistic keepsakes. At Al Safa’s Impact Track, Mohammad Altamimi will conduct Ruq’ah calligraphy workshops, teaching participants how to handcraft the letters Bā’, Rā’, and Nūn using reed pens.
The Photography Club will close the month with practical training in lighting, exposure, and editing, followed by a photo walk and a professional studio visit at Canon.