Latest news with #HouseofWisdom
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Emerging Emirati poets reinvent poetic styles
As part of its centennial celebrations in July, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) hosted a literary evening titled 'Contemporary Poetry' at the House of Wisdom, Sharjah. The event brought together an audience of emerging and aspiring poets and cultural professionals to engage in dialogue around contemporary poetic expression and the evolving role of literature in Emirati society. Contemporary poetry and evolving expression The evening commenced with a panel discussion titled 'Horizons of Writers and Poets', featuring two young poets, Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Meera AlBusmait. The conversation explored how emerging Emirati voices are reimagining poetic expression by drawing on personal memory, cultural identity, and a deliberate departure from conventional forms to forge new creative directions. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, known for his free-form poetic style, shared insights into his approach to writing. He said: 'I write in complete freedom, refusing to confine myself to any predetermined form or convention. My words are shaped by the legacy of my heritage, by a deep pride in being Emirati, and by the stories of defiance, adventure, and resilience that echo through our history. I believe poetry is an act of truth-telling, and my truth carries the influence of every book I have ever read, every memory I have lived.' On her part, Meera AlBusmait, whose work blends traditional Arabic forms with contemporary English poetics, reflected on the personal nature of her writing journey, saying 'My writing began with a memory; an instinctive urge to capture what felt familiar yet was slipping away. As an Emirati woman shaped by a multicultural lens and a love for English literature, I find myself constantly blending the structure of traditional Arabic verse with the rebellion of contemporary Western poetry. When I face creative blocks, I return to rhyme, rhythm, and the comfort of classical form. But always, I push boundaries. Writing, for me, is a human act; a form of vulnerability and expression no machine can truly replicate. I write to reflect the beauty and complexity of who we are.' Themes of identity and memory in poetic performance The evening concluded with a live poetry recital, during which Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Meera AlBusmait were joined by fellow poets Shahd Thani, Mohammad Al Gaith, and Maryam AlShawab. Their readings explored themes of memory, identity, and belonging, drawing on childhood imagery, the symbolic resonance of the sea, the quiet persistence of cultural tradition, and the role of libraries and librarians. The gathering highlighted a new generation of Emirati poets who weave local dialects with global influences, reaffirming poetry's role as both a personal and collective medium of expression.
Sharjah 24
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
House of Wisdom launches "Kalila and Dimna" summer camp
A Modern Take on Timeless Tales In exclusive remarks to 'Sharjah 24,' Alya Ali Al Shamsi confirmed that the House of Wisdom continues its successful track record of delivering summer programmes that spark imagination and equip children with modern skills. She explained that this year's edition of the camp follows the strong turnout for the previous one, and includes three main camps, foremost among them the 'Kalila and Dimna' camp, which revives traditional tales in a contemporary manner. Engaging Activities to Foster Imagination Al Shamsi added that the camp features theatrical performances such as The Lion and the Bull, and interactive shadow theatre in collaboration with the UAE Board on Books for Young People, alongside musical segments and puppet shows that help nurture children's imagination and reinforce positive values. Tech and Innovation in Focus She clarified that the programme is not limited to storytelling; it also includes 'Al Jazari Lab' camp, which offers interactive workshops in artificial intelligence, design, and programming. She pointed out that it provides a hands-on learning environment that stimulates innovation among participants. Developing Life Skills Through Play The programme also includes a 'Youth Camp' that focuses on developing personal skills and boosting self-confidence through a variety of sports and creative activities. Al Shamsi emphasised that all camps have been carefully designed to equip children with 21st-century skills in a fun and safe environment.
Gulf Today
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
UAEBBY events unveil shadow theatre, story art
The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) is running a series of interactive events for children and young adults throughout July. Organised in collaboration with House of Wisdom in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Children's Library, the summer programme is part of the ongoing 'Read. Dream. Create.' campaign. It aims to nurture storytelling skills, encourage creative thinking and self-expression, and offer a joyful, value-driven educational experience inspired by the power of stories. A key highlight of the programme is a weekly shadow theatre series hosted under the title Kalila wa Dimna Summer Camp, held every Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at House of Wisdom. These storytelling sessions introduce children aged 8 to 12 to selected tales from the classic Kalila wa Dimna, presented through shadow puppetry and live narration. Designed to spark curiosity and convey values such as wisdom, courage, and cooperation, the performances invite children to reflect and engage directly with the stories. Emirati and Arab storytellers including Mohammed Dashti and Samia Ayish lead the sessions, each presenting a new tale every week. Children are encouraged to take part in retelling and reconstructing the narratives in their own way, promoting active learning through creativity and imagination. The book Kalila wa Dimna is a cornerstone of classical world literature, known for its enduring wisdom told through animal fables. Translated into dozens of languages and deeply rooted in Arab cultural heritage since the 8th century, its symbolic tales deliver life lessons in a simple, impactful style. The stories remain a valuable educational reference for promoting moral thinking and ethical decision-making among young readers. In Abu Dhabi, the board marked World Youth Skills Day with an art workshop titled A Ship Towards Dreams, held at the Abu Dhabi Children's Library. Led by Fatima Al Ameri, the session invited children aged 6 to 14 to design symbolic ships that reflect their dreams, personal values, and aspirations. Through guided artistic exploration, participants were encouraged to visualise their goals in a creative, supportive setting. These initiatives are part of the board's broader commitment to creating safe, enriching learning environments where children can explore their identities, imagine freely, and develop important life skills. By combining literature with hands-on artistic tools, the programme reconnects young audiences with the values of storytelling, wisdom, and creativity in a way that is both fun and transformative. WAM
Sharjah 24
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Shadow theatre and story art bring classics to life for children
Classics reimagined through shadow theatre A key highlight of the programme is a weekly shadow theatre series hosted under the title Kalila wa Dimna Summer Camp, held every Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at House of Wisdom. These storytelling sessions introduce children aged 8 to 12 to selected tales from the classic Kalila wa Dimna, presented through shadow puppetry and live narration. Designed to spark curiosity and convey values such as wisdom, courage, and cooperation, the performances invite children to reflect and engage directly with the stories. Emirati and Arab storytellers including Mohammed Dashti and Samia Ayish lead the sessions, each presenting a new tale every week. Children are encouraged to take part in retelling and reconstructing the narratives in their own way, promoting active learning through creativity and imagination. A timeless book with modern appeal The book Kalila wa Dimna is a cornerstone of classical world literature, known for its enduring wisdom told through animal fables. Translated into dozens of languages and deeply rooted in Arab cultural heritage since the 8th century, its symbolic tales deliver life lessons in a simple, impactful style. The stories remain a valuable educational reference for promoting moral thinking and ethical decision-making among young readers. Art workshop in Abu Dhabi sparks creative dreams In Abu Dhabi, the board marked World Youth Skills Day with an art workshop titled A Ship Towards Dreams, held at the Abu Dhabi Children's Library. Led by Fatima Al Ameri, the session invited children aged 6 to 14 to design symbolic ships that reflect their dreams, personal values, and aspirations. Through guided artistic exploration, participants were encouraged to visualise their goals in a creative, supportive setting. Fostering imagination through learning and play These initiatives are part of the board's broader commitment to creating safe, enriching learning environments where children can explore their identities, imagine freely, and develop important life skills. By combining literature with hands-on artistic tools, the programme reconnects young audiences with the values of storytelling, wisdom, and creativity in a way that is both fun and transformative.
What's On
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Louvre Abu Dhabi's new VR experience will transport you from Baghdad to Rome and Mughal India
Louvre Abu Dhabi is pushing the boundaries of immersive art with a brand new VR experience, The Quantum Dome Project, that will transport users into eras bygone with fantastical reality. The history that we only read about in books and watch in documentaries – this is your chance to live it as it happened over a 25-minute experience. The Quantum Dome Project presents three digitally reconstructed environments from three completely different, historic corners of the globe and completely different time periods – ancient Rome, medieval Baghdad and Mughal-era India. You can experience them all through the medium of virtual reality. How does it work? Essentially, each person is fitted with a wireless headset that tracks their full-body movements in real time. Developed with French production company Small Creative Studio, the technology requires no joysticks or other hand-held devices to control the setting. Up to 10 people can enter the VR chamber at one time, and participants can move freely in between the action of the three eras – from the colonnades of a Roman forum to sifting through the books of the ancient House of Wisdom, and standing in the midst of battle on the lakes near the Jal Mahal. But it's not all a VR experience. The defining points of each setting are real objects from the museum's collection itself. Each setting is tied to this specific object; in Rome, a marble sculpture of Emperor Augustus, in Baghdad, a manuscript page from De Materia Medica, and in India, suit of armour dubbed Four Mirrors. These pieces are your entry points, connecting the physical world of the museum to the virtual journey unfolding inside the headset. Even the start of the narrative follows a sci-fi theme – the VR experience begins in Louvre Abu Dhabi itself, in an underground laboratory at the museum, where scientists attempt to extract the 'memory' of objects using experimental quantum technology. Things go south and visitors are flung across time and space, landing in an imperial Roman forum to begin with. Why these three eras? While history is rich and giving with many time periods to explore, these three eras are perhaps some of the most significant. The first Roman emperor, Augustus, is at the centre of the Roman setting. He was the founder of the Roman Empire and reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14, after the fall of the Roman Republic led by none other than Julius Caesar. Over in Baghdad, the House of Wisdom was once believed to be the largest library in the world and established Baghdad as a global centre of knowledge during the eighth and ninth centuries. It was said to hold tens of thousands of books and manuscripts, works on astronomy, medicine, philosophy and more. All of this was lost in the 13th century when the library was destroyed by the Mongol siege of Baghdad, and legend has it that so many books were thrown into the Tigris, that the river ran black with ink. The Mughal era is also an important cornerstone of the history of the Indian subcontinent, imparting the region with architecture, culture, food, music, art and history it reveres to this day. The individual price for the experience is Dhs120, including access to the museum, while booking in groups of four will cost Dhs95 per person. @louvreabudhabi Images: Louvre Abu Dhabi > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
