Cultural Summer launches in nine cultural centres across UAE

ABU DHABI, 2nd July, 2017 (WAM) — Cultural Centres of the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in the UAE have launched its “Cultural Summer” programme under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.

The programme includes specialised courses and workshops in theatrical arts, music, visual arts and creative writing and will be run by a group of experts, specialists, artists and writers. The Ministry of Culture will be giving away valuable prizes to distinguished students in the four fields of the programme. Participation is open for school students until the 10th of July through the Ministry’s website, or by visiting one of the Ministry’s cultural centres.

The summer programme will last for 40 days with 2 daily sessions, mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and evenings from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. In the first work plan of the programme, the Ministry has adopted a new and innovative method based on nurturing and developing talents under the supervision of a group of trainers to provide students with knowledge and skills in the fields of theatre, fine arts, music, creative writing (whether story, poetry or novel) and various entertainment activities in an attempt to break the routine and stay away from traditional programmes to attract school and university students and other interested members of the community.

The notion of the programme is based on the investment of the energies of students during the summer holidays, in addition to the finding, refining and developing of talents by partnering with selected artists and professors to provide them with specialised basics in the four cultural fields in preparation for their inclusion in the programmes of the ministry aimed at pumping new blood in the UAE cultural scene in general.

The programme is built on the basis of multiple intelligences and the ability to match the needs of society and the interests of individuals for the development of society.

“The Ministry seeks to deliver its cultural, knowledge and artistic services to all citizens and residents of the country, especially in the summer. This year marks the launch of the first session of the “Cultural Summer” programme across all cultural centres of the Ministry with the aim of attracting talented youth and school students. The programme aims to discover creative talents in all fields through experts, artists and professors in preparation for their support and inclusion in the programmes of the ministry,” said Yasser Al Gergawi, Director of Cultural Events Department at the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. He added that registration for the programme will continue until the tenth of this month.

“The cultural summer programme, which is scheduled to last for 40 days, receives direct support and follow up from Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development. Sheikh Nahyan directed that all the activities should be more specialised and rich in the fields of creative literature, art, music and theatre, becoming a platform for all talented people to express their abilities and develop their talents in a scientific way ensuring their continuity and development,” added Al Gergawi.

Al Gergawi called on parents to register their children in the workshops and courses that best suit their interests. He explained that each workshop adopts scientific methodology to serve as a foundational stage for young innovators. The Ministry of Culture will be giving away valuable prizes to distinguished students in the four fields of the programme, along with certificates of appreciation at the closing ceremony. The Ministry will also support talented individuals throughout the year by publishing their works and presenting them to the UAE public. Al Gergawi stressed that the programme comes in support of the Ministry’s mission to support Emirati talents and is in line with recommendations made by UAE experts and innovators who participated in the second cultural forum organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development three months ago under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak.

The programme includes more than 39 courses by selected experts, specialists, artists, writers and critics, more than 50 other activities and trips to archaeological and touristic areas in the UAE, in addition to a variety of community activities.

Source: WAM/Chris Moran