Sharjah, August 10: The emirates of Dubai and Sharjah are stirring up the enthusiasm and ingenuity of Emiratis this summer by launching activities directed at educating them on traditional handicrafts and national heritage.
The ongoing Watani Summer Camps are exposing the participating kids to UAE’s old lifestyle and the basics of various traditional handicrafts and cuisines.
Launched in 2005, the Watani programmes, including the summer camps, aim at developing children’s creativity and enhancing the spirit of belonging to highlight the UAE’s values and heritage.
The camps includes art, science, environment, culture and heritage as well as religious and sports activities.
Traditional games such as “Ringat” and “Al Karb” and the ways of manufacturing traditional bracelets and slippers are among those taught on the heritage open day. Famous traditional cuisines ‘Al Harees’ and ‘Luqaimat’, are also included.
In Sharjah, the three-day pioneering workshop for 15 youngsters to discover the exciting world of a Museum Guide ended on Thursday at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.
Dr Ulrike Al Khamis, advisor to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, said the groundbreaking initiative attracted Emirati children and young adults between the ages of 7 and 17, who were introduced to the basic principles of professional museum tour guiding in a fun way.
Launched as Al Murshid Al Mutemeyyez (Be a Brilliant Museum Guide), the programme enabled the children to discover the art of museum guiding through especially devised activities in the faith, science, and art galleries of the museum, including quiz, fun challenges and formal instruction.
Al Khamis said that the innovative idea is due entirely to the dedication and initiative of our guiding staff, who aims to pass on their skills to the next generation and who will run all aspects of the workshop.
The first of its kind in UAE and the Gulf Region, the workshop ended with the honouring of the participants by the Islamic Museum of Civilisation.
–Agencies