Latest news with #KalilawaDimna
Sharjah 24
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Art, heritage and creativity adorn HOW's summer camps
At the 'Kalila wa Dimna' camp, in collaboration with the UAE Board on Books for Young People, young minds are able to learn more about the timeless fables and characters within this classic narrative, accompanied with lively puppet shows, gently interact with birds, rabbits, turtles, and reptiles in interactive animal activities; learn melodies on instruments like the guitar; and craft glowing paper lanterns in art workshops. Meanwhile, the 'Al Jazari FabLab' camp transforms inquisitive learners into budding innovators in a hands-on experience that fuses storytelling, technology, coding and electronics. Participants learn how to boost their creativity through the STEAM approach, which blends Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics to foster their inventive design thinking. 'Youth Camp', held in collaboration with Sharjah Ladies Club, enables participants to uncover their potential through diverse arts, crafts, and life skills programmes; including drawing, painting, pottery, and cooking; unlocking new avenues for creative expression and exploration. Registration for all three camps is open via the House of Wisdom's official website:, with full details about each programme and age group. Flexible registration options are available, including daily and weekly passes, along with exclusive discounts for HoW members.
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.
Gulf Today
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
House of Wisdom's camps blend heritage and innovation
As part of its commitment to transforming summer into a season of learning, inspiration, and joy, House of Wisdom (HoW) in Sharjah is preparing to unveil an exciting new edition of its annual summer camp this July and August. Following the overwhelming response and strong turnout witnessed last year, this year's programme is set to deliver three dynamic camp experiences that seamlessly weave together technology, arts, and creative thinking within an environment designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration. Each of the three camps is thoughtfully tailored to suit different age groups, offering a rich tapestry of activities that blend interactive storytelling, hands-on experiments, arts and crafts, and engaging educational games. The goal is to create memorable experiences where learning and play go hand in hand. Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of HoW, shared her enthusiasm for this yearly tradition, emphasising that it has become a signature part of HoW's cultural and educational mission. She remarked: 'Our Arab heritage is a treasure trove of timeless stories and cultural symbols that continue to inspire and influence generation after generation. Bringing these narratives to life through contemporary methods and technology gives today's children the chance to connect with their roots in ways that feel fresh, relevant, and accessible.' Children and parents poses for a photograph during a workshop hosted by House of Wisdom in Sharjah. She continued: 'At a time when screens increasingly isolate our children, we are committed to creating spaces that reintroduce the wonder of real-world connection. These camps are designed to nurture essential skills, cultivate collaboration and initiative, and build a generation that knows how to balance knowledge with joy, and heritage with innovation.' The first camp, Kalila wa Dimna, will run from 7 to 31 July and is open to children aged 6 to 12. Inspired by the legendary fables brought into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffa', the camp reimagines these stories in fresh, captivating ways. Participants can look forward to lively theatre performances such as The Lion and the Ox and Dimna's Trial, alongside imaginative shadow plays inspired by The Monkey and the Turtle and The Merchant and the Parrot. The experience is further enriched with musical performances and puppet theatre, all designed to ignite young imaginations. Running in parallel, How's Al Jazari FabLab will offer children and teens aged 6 to 15 an immersive educational adventure that fuses storytelling with technology. A series of innovative workshops will equip participants with systematic thinking and practical skills. From recreating the tales of Kalila wa Dimna using AI-powered tools, to exploring the intersection of ethics, science, and art through design thinking, the camp opens up a world of creative possibilities. Participants will also have the chance to get hands-on experience in electronics and coding with Arduino Rapid Prototyping, while the Maker Tales workshop will invite them to blend narrative with 3D printing and laser cutting, crafting their own unique 'Story Box'. The third offering, simply titled Youth Camp, will unfold across July and August for those aged 12 and above. This holistic programme brings together art, innovation, and life skills in an engaging setting aimed at encouraging self-expression and discovery. Among the highlights are The Art of Qalam, a workshop exploring the foundations of classical and contemporary Arabic calligraphy, and Unleash Your Charisma, which empowers participants to strengthen their communication and leadership abilities. Another session, Focus to Achieve... From Mental Chaos to Meaningful Progress, focuses on building mental clarity and focus. The camp also includes creative baking experiences, a dedicated AI Studio for cutting-edge digital projects, and expressive art and craft workshops that nurture both imagination and practical skills. Registration for all three camps is now open via the House of Wisdom's official social media channels (@howsharjah), where families can find full details about each programme and age group. Flexible registration options are available, including daily and weekly passes, along with exclusive discounts for HoW members.
Sharjah 24
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
HoW launches 3 summer camps in July, August
Following the overwhelming response and strong turnout witnessed last year, this year's programme is set to deliver three dynamic camp experiences that seamlessly weave together technology, arts, and creative thinking within an environment designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration. Each of the three camps is thoughtfully tailored to suit different age groups, offering a rich tapestry of activities that blend interactive storytelling, hands-on experiments, arts and crafts, and engaging educational games. The goal is to create memorable experiences where learning and play go hand in hand. Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of HoW, shared her enthusiasm for this yearly tradition, emphasising that it has become a signature part of HoW's cultural and educational mission. She remarked: 'Our Arab heritage is a treasure trove of timeless stories and cultural symbols that continue to inspire and influence generation after generation. Bringing these narratives to life through contemporary methods and technology gives today's children the chance to connect with their roots in ways that feel fresh, relevant, and accessible.' She continued: 'At a time when screens increasingly isolate our children, we are committed to creating spaces that reintroduce the wonder of real-world connection. These camps are designed to nurture essential skills, cultivate collaboration and initiative, and build a generation that knows how to balance knowledge with joy, and heritage with innovation.' The first camp, Kalila wa Dimna, will run from 7 to 31 July and is open to children aged 6 to 12. Inspired by the legendary fables brought into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffa', the camp reimagines these stories in fresh, captivating ways. Participants can look forward to lively theatre performances such as The Lion and the Ox and Dimna's Trial, alongside imaginative shadow plays inspired by The Monkey and the Turtle and The Merchant and the Parrot. The experience is further enriched with musical performances and puppet theatre, all designed to ignite young imaginations. Running in parallel, How's Al Jazari FabLab will offer children and teens aged 6 to 15 an immersive educational adventure that fuses storytelling with technology. A series of innovative workshops will equip participants with systematic thinking and practical skills. From recreating the tales of Kalila wa Dimna using AI-powered tools, to exploring the intersection of ethics, science, and art through design thinking, the camp opens up a world of creative possibilities. Participants will also have the chance to get hands-on experience in electronics and coding with Arduino Rapid Prototyping, while the Maker Tales workshop will invite them to blend narrative with 3D printing and laser cutting, crafting their own unique 'Story Box'. The third offering, simply titled Youth Camp, will unfold across July and August for those aged 12 and above. This holistic programme brings together art, innovation, and life skills in an engaging setting aimed at encouraging self-expression and discovery. Among the highlights are The Art of Qalam, a workshop exploring the foundations of classical and contemporary Arabic calligraphy, and Unleash Your Charisma, which empowers participants to strengthen their communication and leadership abilities. Another session, Focus to Achieve... From Mental Chaos to Meaningful Progress, focuses on building mental clarity and focus. The camp also includes creative baking experiences, a dedicated AI Studio for cutting-edge digital projects, and expressive art and craft workshops that nurture both imagination and practical skills. Registration for all three camps is now open via the House of Wisdom's official social media channels, where families can find full details about each programme and age group. Flexible registration options are available, including daily and weekly passes, along with exclusive discounts for HoW members.
