The National Library and Archives Honours the Winning Students in The UAE Students’ Creative Arts Festival, in Collaboration with The Emirates Schools Establishment
The National Library and Archives, at its headquarters, hosted the third edition of the UAE Students’ Creative Arts Festival under the initiative “Gateway to Talent”. This significant initiative, sponsored by the NLA in collaboration with the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE), aims at activating the theatre movement among kindergartens and primary schools nationwide. The ceremony featured a play performed by children titled “My Grandpa’s Rug”, along with other delightful folkloric performances drawn from heritage. The event concluded with the honouring of creative student talents from kindergartens and primary schools involved in the school theatre activities.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Farhan Al Marzouqi, Director of the Corporate and Community Outreach Department at the NLA, stressed that the National Library and Archives is a strategic partner in shaping the nation’s future generations. He highlighted the NLA’s commitment to promoting patriotism and loyalty to the UAE wise leadership, and instilling national values in youth through noteworthy events and activities, in collaboration with the “Gateway to Talent” initiative. Al Marzouqi underscored the importance of theatre for all segments of society, particularly children, and praised schools for their role in discovering and developing students’ talents. He illustrated that school theaters and children’s theaters have become leaders in supporting and complementing the educational process.
Al Marzouqi also pointed out that the importance of serious and purposeful theater lies in implanting positive values and national principles in the minds of generations, as well as its ability to address improper behaviours and increase awareness among students. This notion id affirmed by the English playwright William Shakespeare, who said, “Give me a stage and I’ll give you a nation.”
Al Marzouqi honoured the participating schools and the winning students in the third edition of the UAE Students’ Creative Arts Festival affiliated with the initiative “Gateway to Talent”. Additionally, he expressed gratitude for the judging committee, supervisors, and parents who supported the students until they achieved success and excellence on the stage. He highly praised the efforts of the strategic partners, affirming that collaborative efforts are capable of elevating children’s theater to become a real tributary in enriching Knowledge Societies, the motto of the NLA in the upcoming phase.
Before the honouring ceremony, a group of children from Khalifa School presented their purposeful play titled “My Grandpa’s Rug”, which combines realism and symbolism. The play received positive feedback from the audience for its portrayal of the UAE in the past, the present and what it will become in the future.
Furthermore, the NLA honoured the ESE Groups, members of the judging committee, and the target audience from kindergartens and primary schools’ students. The winners from Dubai and the Northern Emirates are: Juwayriyah Bint Al Harith Primary School, securing first place for their play the “Garden of Secrets”. Al Thameed School students came in the second position for their play “Dolls in a landfill”. The third place went to Nad Al Hamar Kindergarten students, for their play “Nahulah and Zahrat Al Khair” (A little bee and the flower of goodness).
At the level of Abu Dhabi kindergarten schools came Al Shamkha Kindergarten students in the first place for their play “Fakhr Zayed” (Zayed’s pride). Al Yahar Kindergarten students won second place for their play “Ahmed Al Helou” (Ahmed, Sweet Boy). Al Shatha Kindergarten students won the third place for their play “My Children are Digitally Safe”.
For the school level in Abu Dhabi: Madinat Khalifa School won first place for their play “My Grandpa’s Rug”, which was also performed at the closing ceremony. Ahmed Bin Zayed School came in second for their play “He Returned Empty-Handed”. Finally, Al Tafawuq School won third place for their play “Sailors’ Bridge”.