Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is organizing a series of educational activities and reading sessions in all Dubai Public Library branches in line with the UAE Month of Reading 2023. These activities are part of the National Literacy Strategy 2016-2026, which aims to promote cultural values in society, support arts and literature, and spread awareness of the importance of reading and its impact on society. The events, which include workshops, lectures, and reading sessions, will take place throughout March and will feature the participation of authors and poets. The goal is to open broad horizons for the public and encourage them to engage in the cultural and literary fields.
The Month of Reading is an opportunity to celebrate books and motivate the local community to take an interest in knowledge and reading as a way to achieve the country’s aspirations and future visions. Dubai Culture has designed a series of activities to meet the needs of individuals and enhance the values of knowledge and creativity in the local community. These activities aim to make reading a daily habit and contribute to consolidating a culture of analysis and constructive criticism, as well as understanding the changes of the times.
The events will be held in all Dubai Public Library branches, including Al Safa Art and Design, Umm Suqeim, Al Twar, Al Mankhool, Al Rashidiya, Hor Al Anz, and Hatta Public. As part of the ‘Libraries Talk’ series, Dubai Culture is organizing a series of reading and critical sessions, with the participation of a group of Emirati female writers. The events include the Lesath session on 2 March at Al Safa Art & Design Library with author Asma Mohammed Kherbash, ‘We’re All Storytellers’ on 14 March at Al Mankhool Library with Purva Grover, and ‘Writing to Heal’ on 16 March at Al Twar Library with Purva Grover.
As part of its social corporate responsibility, Dubai Culture is organizing the Discounted Book Fair at Al Safa Art & Design Library from 8 to 15 March. The fair, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, will sell books at nominal prices ranging from AED 3, 5, and 10, with the proceeds going to a charitable entity in the country. Dubai Public Libraries will also host workshops, competitions, traditional games, and Emirati dishes on 7 March to celebrate Haq Al Leila, with the aim of introducing future generations to the importance of this night and its place in the local heritage.
Eiman Al Hammadi, Acting Manager of Libraries Affairs Section at Dubai Culture, emphasized that the Month of Reading is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between community members and reading and turn it into a way of life. Dubai Culture’s activities are designed in an innovative manner aimed at meeting the needs of individuals and enhancing the values of knowledge and creativity in the local community. These activities are aligned with the Authority’s commitments to building educated generations capable of contributing to the country’s development.