Dubai, UAE. The Dubai Public Library (DPL), owned and managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, has unveiled its annual summer activities programme under the theme of ‘Our Summer is Arts & Culture.’

Featuring an extensive line-up of educational and creative activities for children from 6 to 12 years, the summer programme will be held from August 11 to September 5, 2013, at Al Safa Public Library, Al Mankhool Public Library, Al Rashidiya Public Library, Al Twar Public Library, and Hatta Public Library

Covering four main subjects including arts and crafts, Islamic lessons, and personality and self-development, the activities will also help to strengthen Emirati national identity, while providing children with the skills that are required later on in life.

Abdulrahman Ibrahim, Head of the Dubai Public Library Department, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “In line with the UAE’s Vision to establish the country as a knowledge-based economy, the Dubai Public Library branches are committed to strengthening and nurturing the skills of our future leaders through an extensive array of theoretical and practical activities that will spark their interest and encourage them to engage in productive dialogue.”

Held across all the libraries in Dubai from Sunday to Thursday, 4am to 8pm and from 9pm to 1pm at the Hatta Public Library, the activities will include Quran recitation courses; lessons on Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and handicrafts.

The libraries will host workshops on developing and strengthening national identity; lessons on etiquette; and a cultural tour. Children can master the basics of computers, writing in the English language, book reviews and critique, Arabic calligraphy, communication, and self-management.

For those interested in the hands-on learning, they can take up Tae Kwon Do; cooking courses; lessons on shopping wisely; painting lessons; and cultural tours and competitions.

Hatta Public Library will host Quran recitation courses, followed by a workshop on strengthening Emirati national identity. Visitors to the Hatta Public Library can sign up for computer courses; English language classes; Arabic calligraphy; self-management; communication; and etiquette workshops.

Registration for the Dubai Public Library summer programme begins on June 25, 2013. Participating children must be between the ages of 6 to 12 years. To register, children should fill out the registration form, provide a copy of their passport or Emirates ID, and pay the registration fees.

Members of the Dubai Public Library can make the most of the summer programme for AED 600 for the whole roster; while non-members can register for AED 800.

For details on the ‘Summer Programme,’ and the schedule of activities,  please visit www.dubaiculture.ae or call: 04-3947279 (Al Safa Public Library); 04-3277779 (Al Mankhool Public Library); 04-2858065 (Al Rashidiya Public Library); 04-2630013 (Al Twar Public Library); and 04-8521022 (Hatta Public Library). For registration, please visit your nearest Dubai Public Library branch.