MAKTABA turns Abu Dhabi libraries into inspiring learning labs this summer
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi has turned its libraries into vibrant hubs of stories, colours, and creativity with MAKTABA's Summer Literacy Camp. Here, children spend their summer break immersed in heartwarming tales and hands-on activities that bring ideas to life.Led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the camp welcomes children aged 6 to 12 into a fun, engaging space designed to pique their curiosity and spark their creativity.The MAKTABA summer camp takes places at a number locations, including the Zayed Central Library, Khalifa Park Library, Al Wathba Library, and Al Marfa Library. It seeks to develop a generation that values reading, culture, and creative thinking, making it more than just a summertime activity.Besides trawling through thousands of books across the libraries' aisles, children can participate in interactive workshops and let their imaginations run wild during arts and crafts sessions. With daily hands-on experiences ranging from science and storytelling to visual arts and soft skills development, the programme effectively combines play and education. Engaging activities are lined up throughout the camp as it approaches its final week.On August 5, children will learn healthy habits by making fruit smoothies without a blender and decorating with edible fruit. On August 6, there will be a cool workshop introducing kids to 'Glow Jars from the Wizarding World.' Then on August 7, they will be able to build their own robots. From 5pm to 6pm, the camp offers families access to more enriching programmes.
What's In Store for the Youth this August The emirate's summer library programmes and activities offer more than just books; they give every child a place to develop.Beyond hosting the MAKTABA Summer Literacy Camp, the libraries continue to hold a variety of activities - from reading groups to meaningful discussions for the community. There are lively group discussions with the Youth Reading Club and Library Friends Forum, as well as storytelling sessions, aiming to build young participants' confidence by allowing them to express themselves and explore a world of ideas. Children also get to participate in artistic and practical activities, such as wood painting, origami art, pencil case colouring, and 'Draw the Hero of the Story' sessions. While workshops like Shapes Board aid in the development of focus and spatial awareness, events like Curious Amani and the Alphabet Letters make learning enjoyable for young readers. The initiative also addresses current issues in engaging sessions. 'With Love, We Defeat Bullying' combines art and storytelling to teach empathy and emotional intelligence. Then, the 'Awareness Programme on Child Protection Online' equips kids with the necessary skills to safely navigate the digital world. While the Digital Library Workshop introduces older participants to crucial research tools and online resources, children continue to learn about culture and identity in classes like 'Introduction to Heritage Sites.'Through story discussions, presentations, Q&As, and crafts like summer fans, the Future Creators Club emphasises seasonal knowledge, creativity, as well as teamwork.
Community-focused and celebratory events like the Closing Day of the Summer Programme, Back to School, and An Unforgettable End of Summer bring people together through storytelling, games, and challenges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
From Dh10,000 seats to Dh200,000 suites: Six of the UAE's most expensive concerts
What does a Dh47,850 concert ticket actually get you? For Kiss fans in 2020, it meant your own hotel room at Atlantis The Palm, with a private balcony overlooking a socially distanced stage – part of a five-night New Year's package during the height of the pandemic. Fast forward to December 31 this year: if you have Dh6,500 to spare, you can catch Maroon 5 performing at Atlantis The Royal 's first public New Year's Eve concert, complete with a lavish buffet. Want to sing She Will Be Loved and Payphone with nine friends and a private butler? That'll cost Dh200,000 for a Sky Suite. While the numbers may raise eyebrows, this reflects a long-running trend. The UAE has turned luxury live music into a signature – blending performance, setting and scale in ways few markets attempt. Here's a look back – and in one case, ahead – at six of the country's most exclusive and lavishly priced concerts, listed in ascending order. 6. Dh4,000: Andrea Bocelli at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, 2024 You would have been hard-pressed to find a more elegant and enchanting way to welcome 2025 in the UAE than this classy affair with Andrea Bocelli. Joined by his orchestra and Lebanese soprano Mayssa Karaa, the celebrated Italian tenor performed some of his beloved arias, including Con the partiro, The Prayer and Vivo per lei, on the grounds of the palatial beachside resort in a black-tie dinner affair that ended with fireworks. 5. Dh4,500: Armin van Buuren at Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah, 2024 The kind of spectacle where the lavish desert landscape was the star of the show. The Dutch DJ's trance and atmospheric anthems went down a treat at this October show. A capacity of 1,000 people was on hand to see van Buuren perform a set with exclusive production that included drones, fireworks and lasers. The amphitheatre layout allowed audience members to see from all angles, making the show resemble a special desert version of the popular online dance music concert series Boiler Room. Best part of all, for some folks anyway, is the show wasn't van Buuren's usual seven-hour epic set. The Dutch spinner ended his four-hour performance at 1am. 4. Dh4,500: Lionel Richie at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, 2024 Before this year's New Year's revelry moves to the more ultra-luxe Atlantis Royal, many of Dubai's biggest New Year's Eve concerts were held at the neighbouring family-friendly Atlantis, The Palm resort, with previous artists over the years including Sting, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams. Last year was no different, with a dinner concert by Hello singer Lionel Richie – a breezy 60-minute selection of his greatest hits from both his solo and Commodores catalogue, including All Night Long, Dancing on the Ceiling, Penny Lover and Sail On. 3. Dh5,000: Atif Aslam and Sami Yusuf at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, 2025 Expensive tickets aren't reserved for New Year's Eve or beachside venues – sometimes it's simply about being front row for a meeting of musical giants. Pakistani pop star Atif Aslam and British singer Sami Yusuf will perform separate sets on October 7 that highlight Aslam's elegant ballads and Yusuf's compositions rooted in Islamic history and heritage. Organisers are promising a production to match the occasion. Each artist will perform with their own orchestras and stage design. 2. Dh10,000: Enrique Iglesias at Nammos Dubai, 2022 For such a party starter, the Spanish pop star has rarely headlined his own New Year's Eve concert. His Dubai show marked his first solo end-of-year bash in a career spanning over three decades, giving the event an air of exclusivity. Iglesias took the purpose-built stage at the Jumeirah beach club, an outpost of the popular Mykonos party spot, alongside Cuban pop group Gente de Zona. With tickets ranging from Dh8,000 to Dh10,000, the event followed a 'glam chic' dress code. The intimate crowd dined on a Mediterranean dinner before hitting the dance floor to see Iglesias ring in 2023 with hits like Bailando, I Like It and Vamonos. 1. Dh47,850: Kiss at Atlantis, The Palm, 2020 Not many fans would shell out nearly Dh50,000 to see a rock concert – then again, not many bands inspire the kind of devotion Kiss enjoyed in the final years of their career. But this was no ordinary New Year's Eve gig. Held at the height of the pandemic, when the live music industry was effectively shut down, the New Year's Eve show at Atlantis, The Palm made headlines for offering a possible blueprint for safe, large-scale performance. The resort became a tightly controlled bubble, where safety protocols never came at the expense of spectacle. Most attendees paid the eye-watering sum to watch the show from private hotel balconies overlooking the purpose-built stage that floated above the pool, with the ticket price formed part of a five-night holiday package that included luxury accommodation and exclusive access. A very limited number of Dubai residents were able to secure ground-level views by booking Royal Beach tables at Dh2,500 per person, with a five-guest minimum. Everyone else watched online, with more than 50 cameras capturing the band's final-year theatrics for a global live-stream audience.
UAE Moments
a day ago
- UAE Moments
Check out This Harry Potter Exhibition in Abu Dhabi
The Harry Potter™: The Exhibition makes its grand Middle East debut at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi from 31 July to 21 September 2025, offering fans an immersive journey into the Wizarding World. Spread across more than a dozen themed galleries, the exhibition transports visitors into iconic scenes—from a Gringotts-style vault housing a first edition of The Philosopher's Stone to a fully realized Hogwarts Castle complete with Whomping Willow, Dementors, and an interactive Marauder's Map. Upon entry, guests receive a wristband and select their Hogwarts house, wand, and Patronus, which personalizes their journey through the exhibit. As visitors engage in activities—brewing potions in Potions class, practicing spellcasting, testing Quidditch skills, and attending Herbology or Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons—they earn house points and unlock unique interactive features. Standout environments include immersive recreations of Hagrid's Hut (complete with oversized chair photo-op), the Forbidden Forest walkway, and Hogwarts classrooms filled with original props and costumes from Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and the Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Each themed zone is thoughtfully designed to engage sight, sound, and touch—some even introducing scent and animation via animatronic creatures. Open six days a week (closed on Tuesdays), the exhibition hours are flexible depending on the day: typically midday through evening, with last entry up to two hours before closing. Tickets start at AED 115, with VIP and Flex options that include priority entry, a commemorative tote bag, audio guide access, and fast-track benefits. Children under 3 enter for free when accompanied by an adult, and the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. Since its debut in Philadelphia in 2022, the exhibition has attracted over 3.5 to 3.7 million visitors worldwide and has visited cities like Melbourne, Krakow, New York, and Salt Lake City before arriving in Abu Dhabi. This is the first time the touring exhibition graces the UAE, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's growing status as a vibrant cultural and entertainment destination. In short, Harry Potter™: The Exhibition promises an enchanting experience for fans and newcomers alike—blending authentic film artifacts, hands-on magic, and cinematic storytelling into an unforgettable showcase that brings the world of Hogwarts to life in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
The Wizarding World lands in Abu Dhabi: Inside 'Harry Potter: The Exhibition'
On July 31, Harry Potter's birthday, the magic officially arrived in Abu Dhabi. For the first time in the Middle East, Harry Potter: The Exhibition opened its doors at Manarat Al Saadiyat, offering fans of all ages a truly enchanting experience. With a limited run through September 21, the immersive experience promises a one-of-a-kind journey into the Wizarding World. Whether you're a lifelong Potterhead or just beginning to explore J.K. Rowling's universe, this exhibition offers an unforgettable experience filled with interactivity, innovation, and nostalgia. Curated by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences in collaboration with Imagine Exhibitions, Eventim Live, Proactiv Entertainment, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Harry Potter: The Exhibition is the most comprehensive touring showcase ever created around the Wizarding World. It celebrates iconic moments from the Harry Potter films, Fantastic Beasts, and even the Broadway play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, using state-of-the-art immersive design and storytelling. 'Harry Potter is the Holy Grail of experiences,' said Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, in a chat with City Times. 'The process took years, a huge team of people started with a bubble diagram to figure out what we wanted: personal, inclusive, interactive, surprising. The hardest part was deciding what not to include… so we just kept going. That's why it's so big, room after room after room.' From floating candles in the Great Hall to a life-sized replica of Hagrid's Hut and the iconic 'cupboard under the stairs,' the exhibition brings unforgettable scenes to life using a mix of original props, costumes, scent cues, music, and interactive tech. Visitors begin their journey by selecting a Hogwarts house, wand, and Patronus, then earn points for their house through various activities using a smart wristband. Why Abu Dhabi? While the exhibition has toured globally, this marks its Middle East debut—and the team behind it had their eyes on the UAE for years. 'We've been talking to people in the region, especially Abu Dhabi, for a long time,' Zaller revealed. 'It's a cultural hub. This is where we wanted to be.' The timing and duration, he added, were influenced by venue availability and global touring schedules. A magical hit with UAE visitors If fan reactions are anything to go by, the exhibition has more than delivered. Local content creator Joanna Rodrigues described it as 'unique, personalised, and truly for every Potterhead,' citing Hagrid's Hut as her favourite room. 'The live frames, the house sections, the real outfits—it's really cool,' she added. Rafeez Ahmed, another UAE-based content creator and 'Potterhead', said, 'For the first time, UAE has gotten something like this for all of us. I've never experienced anything like it here. Seeing real props and collecting points with the wristband, it was all so fun and exciting.' Even those new to the franchise found it immersive. 'It's a great learning experience for both fans and newcomers,' said Nabata Khan, calling the exhibition 'visually attractive and welcoming to everyone.' Beyond the wow factor, the exhibition emphasises shared experiences. 'What makes this special is the people who come to it,' said Zaller. 'It's multigenerational—grandparents, parents, and children all exploring together.' It's also a retail delight, with an exclusive selection of themed merchandise, from Hogwarts house apparel to collectibles not found anywhere else in the Wizarding World.
