National Library and Archives spotlights promising young talent at 2025 UAE School Theatre Festival

Al Etihad

10 hours ago

26 June 2025 01:14
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The National Library and Archives (NLA) on Tuesday hosted the 2025 UAE School Theatre Festival awards ceremony at its Abu Dhabi headquarters.
Held under the theme "My Nation, the UAE… Eternal Glory," and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the fourth edition of the "Gateway to Talent" initiative honoured outstanding student performances, with the participation of around 7,500 students from across the country.The ceremony opened with a speech by Aisha Al Zaabi, Head of the Educational Programmes Section at the National Library and Archives, who affirmed the institution's role in moulding young talent.She praised school theatre as a powerful tool for promoting education and national identity, highlighting its ability to spark creativity, boost confidence, and advance Emirati values.She hailed the winning performances as inspiring models for the future.The ceremony concluded with the awards ceremony for the winners.First place went to Al Murooj Kindergarten in Sharjah and Nad Al Hamar Kindergarten in Dubai.Second place went to Omair Bin Abi Waqqas School in Sharjah, and third place went to Al Thameed School in Sharjah.In Abu Dhabi, first place went to Al Sila School and Al Nahda Kindergarten.Second place went to Al Jeel Kindergarten and Al Shatha Kindergarten, and third place went to Al Eathaar Kindergarten and Um Ghafa Kindergarten.In the first cycle, first place went to Mezyad School in Al Ain and Halima Al Saadia School in Abu Dhabi.Second place went to Al Ezza School in Abu Dhabi and Mohammed Bin Khalid School in Al Ain.Third place went to Madinat Zayed School in Al Dhafra and Ahmed bin Zayed School in Al Ain.Outstanding students from Al Bidaya Kindergarten, Al Fayhaa'a Kindergarten in Abu Dhabi and Al Yahar Kindergarten in Al Ain were honoured.Also claiming honours were first-cycle students from Al Taweelah School in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhannah, and Al Marfa Schools in Al Dhafra.
On the sidelines of the School Theatre Festival, Dr. Hosnia Al Ali, Education Adviser at the National Library and Archives, spoke to Aletihad about the purpose and evolving role of the awards. "This initiative aims to discover and nurture talents in the early stages of education - specifically from kindergarten to third grade," she explained."Theatre is considered the mother of all arts. Through theatrical activities, we work on enhancing students' speaking abilities, boosting their self-confidence, strengthening communication and Arabic language skills, and developing expressive movement."Beyond artistic skills, the initiative carries a deeper educational mission by entrenching Emirati history, culture, national identity and social values into student performances."Through teamwork and healthy competition, students learn how to interact positively and respectfully with one another," she added.The initiative also reflects the broader objectives of the Year of Community by encouraging collaboration and strengthening student-family bonds.Speaking on the impact of visual and performing arts in shaping national identity, Dr. Al Ali stressed the importance of content."The theatrical works that students work on vary, including historical literary texts, a collection of poems and topics related to Emirati heritage and legacy," she said.These are not just performances - they are educational tools."Through theatrical works, students learn about Emirati heritage and the history of their country, which is represented in many texts," she noted."National identity is represented by good citizenship," she continued."These theatrical works shed light on Emirati affairs and bring them into the classroom."Dr. Al Ali said 7,500 UAE school students participated in the initiative.The selection process was rigorous, with the students judged on the criteria of: the theatrical theme, performance, delivery, language, set, costumes, lighting, plot, student integration, and how well the work aligns with national identity and community-related themes.She noted the increasing sophistication of submissions: "The criteria were not easy, and choosing the winners was not easy, especially because there has been a great deal of maturity in the theatrical scene in schools nationwide."What made the initiative especially meaningful was the focus on the youngest learners, she said."We decided to begin this portal with the younger generation, who might be young, but are promising and have impressive things to offer in theatrical work."Explaining the NLA's broader, long-term role and partnership with the Ministry of Education, she said, "We always support schools and promote education outside of the classroom and beyond the school curriculum. This is achieved through publications, books, information, lectures, reading workshops, games, meetings and field visits."We complement the Ministry of Education in a key and vital way. Together, we serve the Emirati community, especially students."We have reliable publications, archival documents and promising national talent who can deliver content in an age-appropriate way, using games, apps, and artificial intelligence."Dr. Al Ali confirmed that their programmes will support the UAE's AI curriculum rollout."We are now working intensively to ensure the NLA's programmes support this curriculum and are presented in attractive and innovative ways, aligned with academic levels."The programme will return later, with AI technologies integrated into future editions," she said.
She added that the students' creative works will be compiled in the State Archives.