Celebrating heritage at Al Shindagha Days festival programme.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has concluded the Government Innovation Labs series, held at Etihad Museum, to discuss plans and ideas related to innovating new services for customers and members of Dubai’s public libraries, museums and heritage sites. The innovation lab discussions and sessions witnessed the participation of over 45 Dubai Culture employees, volunteers and customers, during which they reviewed the themes of the study ‘Innovating new services for customers — volunteering in the service of culture’ — the outcome of which was 70 specific ideas aimed at stimulating volunteerism.

Participants in the sessions discussed the importance and role of social cultural assets in encouraging youth to volunteer in public libraries, museums, and heritage sites in Dubai, especially as it would raise their level of self-confidence, enhance their ability to communicate with others, and encourage their spirit of leadership. They also discussed the possibility of offering an integrated training programme to prepare certified cultural volunteers, launching the Distinguished Cultural Volunteer Award, and a digital platform for cultural volunteers, linking it with the official volunteer institutions in the country, in addition to organising the annual forum for cultural volunteers and designing volunteer museum competitions, among others. Ways to train young volunteers to meet the needs of public cultural assets were also discussed.

The ‘Innovating new services for customers’ study included more than 170 suggestions to encourage demand for membership services and improving their level with the aim of enriching customers’ experience during their visits to the Authority’s cultural and heritage sites. Participants in the study suggested opening new Dubai Public Library branches in shopping malls, launching a home delivery service for books, and creating new and dedicated memberships for employees of the Dubai government, the federal government, the private sector, international institutions and others, in addition to utilising Dubai Culture’s public-private partnerships to attract new library members.

They also discussed the possibilities of improving the experience of visiting museums and heritage sites by launching cultural memberships and cooperating with national public and private institutions as well as UAE embassies around the world to organise various visits to the sites, along with designing visitor journeys, and using modern technologies to introduce museum collections, plus others. Recommendations also included the importance of organising periodic innovation labs targeting customers and volunteers to benefit from the range of interactive sessions and workshops taking place in the labs.

Embarking on a sea journey.

Dubai Culture also successfully concluded the Al Shindagha Days festival — a celebration of Emirati maritime heritage. Over ten days, it demonstrated the profound impact of the sea on community life, its dangers and bright sides, and its rich history. The event was themed ‘Celebrating Our Culture of the Sea’ and offered visitors an immersive creative journey, inviting them to partake in a rich tapestry of traditional crafts. Attendees delved into the intricate art of boat-building, explored the craftsmanship behind sails and ropes, uncovered the age-old techniques for crafting ‘Gargour’ fishing nets, and gained insights into the process of pearl diving.

They also had the unique opportunity to engage in the time-honoured practice of ‘Al Khoos waving.’ Additionally, participants were introduced to the well-guarded secrets of ‘Dukhoon making’ and Henna, among others. It underscored the Authority’s dedication to spotlighting the emirate’s maritime heritage, fostering a deeper connection between Dubai’s residents and the sea, while celebrating the rich legacy of handicrafts. Al Shindagha Days festival included interactive workshops such as ‘Sail and Paint’, providing the public with an opportunity to experience creek life, learn about the lives of fishermen, and explore maritime equipment. The ‘Boat Building’ workshop aimed to enhance collaboration and instil a spirit of teamwork among participants, while the ‘Nahma Writing and Performing’ workshop helped visitors compose an ‘Al Nahma’. Children had the chance to experience building traditional boats during ‘Boat Tinkering’. Through the Sensory Fish Molding workshop, they were also educated about the local fish species living in the area.

A traditonal dance being performed at Al Shindagha Days festival.

Throughout the festival, local folk-art groups presented various artistic and folkloric performances to the tunes of traditional coastal music. The ‘Youth Theatre Arts’ showcased a play titled ‘Tawi Gubisha’ written and directed by Marai Al Halyan, featuring actor Hassan Yousef. The visitors were also introduced to a range of older Emirati games, including ‘Al Guhaif, ‘Al Karabi’ and ‘Al Dusays’. Dubai Culture has signed a memorandum of understanding with Watani Al Emarat Foundation to enhance mutual collaboration, exchange knowledge and expertise, and develop joint research projects that spread awareness of Emirati history and culture. The collaboration aims to organise a series of educational and training programmes to promote Emirati heritage and values.

The MoU outlines the roles of both parties, allowing Watani Al Emarat Foundation to utilise Dubai Public Library branches, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, and the Authority’s museums and heritage sites to organise lectures, seminars, activities, educational workshops and training sessions, aiming to spread knowledge and awareness of the country’s culture and history. Muna Faisal Algurg, CEO of the Culture & Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, said that the partnership with Watani Al Emarat Foundation reflected the Authority’s efforts to consolidate national identity in the hearts of future generations. Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Executive Director of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, said that “this collaboration aligns seamlessly with our shared vision and concerted efforts to preserve our national identity, improve awareness of Emirati heritage and culture …”