Dubai Culture and Dubai Police conclude ‘My Culture is Rich, My City is Smart’ campaign

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture and heritage, and Dubai Police marked the culmination of ‘My Culture is Rich, My City is Smart’ – a dedicated summer camp for children of employees at both the governmental entities, which was held at the Heritage Village in Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood.

The closing ceremony was attended by HE Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; Major General Abdul Rahman Rafi, Director of the General Department of Community Services at Dubai Police; Major General Mohammed Saeed Al Marri, Director of the Community Service Department at Dubai Police; Colonel Dr Jasem Khalil Mirza, Director of the Security Awareness Department at the General Directorate of Community Services at Dubai Police and representatives from Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. The event underlined the commitment and mandate of Dubai Culture to strengthen awareness of Dubai’s culture and heritage sites.

The summer camp focused on an array of activities including visits for the children to Historical Sites. Experts from Dubai Culture provided them with relevant insights and encouraged them to photograph and document the information. They also assisted in creating compelling short films based on the tours with guidance on scripting, sound technology, editing and post-production. Through their participation, children had an unprecedented opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of the nation, which in turn will strengthen their civic pride and national identity.

The camp was developed with several key pillars to cover all aspects of Dubai’s evolution – both as a cultural and trade hub. These pillars included: Central Authority, Culture, Trade & Industry, Environment & Marine Biology and National Identity.

Additionally, the camp encouraged children to take part in educational and informative tours to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a cultural nerve-centre of Dubai; the Heritage Village in Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood; Dubai Ports at the Creek; and Dubai Fishermen’s Co-op Association. They were also provided unique insights into calligraphy with a special focus on promoting Arabic language, an integral part of the national identity.

Several workshops on different topics were held during the summer camp. Among the topics were: Arabian heritage including stages of calligraphy development; sculpture techniques; traditional food and recycling. The programme also aimed to educate the youth about traditional Emirati hospitality.

Dubai Culture plays a pivotal role in driving awareness of and strengthening Emirati heritage and national identity and is committed to cultivating the cultural landscape of Dubai by building on its rich Arabian heritage, nurturing and promoting talent, and encouraging intercultural dialogue between the city’s communities’ as well as, contributing to the social initiatives that benefit UAE nationals and residents alike.