Abu Dhabi’s new Children’s Library and Theatre will open on September 4 2019.
It will be part of the Cultural Foundation at the historic site Qasr Al Hosn and provide learning and educational spaces for kids as well as materials for them to read and an opportunity to connect with the UAE’s heritage.
The three-storey building is divided into age-appropriate, social spaces and has been designed with inspiration from pop-up books.
There are interactive spaces where little ones can immerse themselves in stories, and the floors are all inspired by the UAE’s landscape.
A year-round programme, STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art and maths), will includ workshops and exhibitions designed to encourage creativity and the development of lifelong learning skills.
Writing, storytelling and filmmaking activities will also be available, to help young people master presentation and communication tools.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Foundation’s revamped 900-seat theatre will host music, dance and theatre shows. Events in the pipeline include Naseer Shamma and the 2350 BC Orchestra, One Hundred and One Nights by the Caracalla Dance Theatre, the Artist of Arabs Mohammed Abdo, and a performance by the Emirati pop star Mehad Hamad.
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, says: “For decades now, the Cultural Foundation has held a position of great significance to the Abu Dhabi community that transcends its physical presence and heritage value.
“It is a landmark of cultural and societal prominence, which both connects us with our national heritage and allows us to explore contemporary creative practices through a variety of programmes designed for all ages.
“The completion of its refurbishment marks a new chapter for the emirate’s cultural scene, and it is our hope that the addition of the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library and the renovation of the theatre will empower our society, through the tools of education, professional development and artistic expression, for many years to come.
“In an environment that utilises edutainment and effective ways of learning, these two major new components will contribute greatly towards our mission of establishing the Al Hosn site as a significant cultural destination which engages residents and visitors alike. Al Hosn is a key part of our mission to support the younger generations and engage them with the UAE’s rich national heritage and with all aspects of global culture, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a cultural capital for the Middle East.”
From Sep 4. Qasr Al Hosn, www.alhosn.ae.
