Mohammed Bin Rashid Library celebrates National Day with immersive events

Emirati culture and heritage, including poetry and workshops, was showcased

A girl dances to traditional Emirati music by Al Mazyood Band at a National Day event at Mohammed bin Rashid Library, next to Dubai Creek. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Boys are tutored in traditional Emirati music and dance by Al Mazyood Band

A Dubai Police dog in a demonstration

A young ceramic artist tries her hand at traditional Emirati crafts

A traditional grocery counter recreated at Mohammed bin Rashid Library

Citizens and residents are encouraged to come together to celebrate 51 years since the founding of the UAE

A young dollmaker practises her skills

A pottery colouring workshop helps keep traditional crafts alive

Children meet a police dog and its handler at the library event

A doll-making workshop as part of National Day celebrations at the library

A library visitor and a police dog make friends at the event

Traditional items on display

A young dancer at the event

A traditional grocery counter recreates old Emirati culture outside of the library, which contains about 400,000 volumes

Young library visitors sample a taste of Emirati tradition

Visitors could also quite literally sample a taste of Emirati tradition at the cooking stall

A visitor take photos against a backdrop of UAE flags

A young ceramic artist at work

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai's Al Jaddaf celebrated the UAE’s 51st National Day on Wednesday with a series of cultural and entertainment events.

From poetry and musical performances to national exhibitions, along with workshops and lectures, many of the events centred around celebrating the UAE’s heritage and Emirati culture. This included folk dances, singing the UAE national anthem, as well as Dubai Police’s military, musical and cavalry performances. There were also workshops for making vintage puppets, colouring pottery and live traditional cooking and showcasing local produce and groceries.

“The National Day holds a precious occasion to our hearts,” said Mohammed Salem Al Mazrouei, board member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation.

“As part of our social responsibility at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, we strive to instil the values of unity, solidarity, and patriotism in the hearts of future generations through all our cultural and entertainment activities that cater to all segments of society.”

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library also organised a photography and art exhibition in collaboration with the National Archives, showcasing the UAE's journey towards modernisation. A Poetry Hour was also on the agenda with poets Ali Al Khawar and Hassan Al Obaidly.

Since its opening in June, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library has organised a number of activities and initiatives which encourage reading and celebrate national events and Emirati heritage such as falconry, equestrian arts, camel racing and pearl hunting.

“We believe in our great responsibility to contribute, side by side, towards consolidating loyalty and a sense of belonging to our homeland,” said Al Mazrouei.

“Which is why we designed the Emirates Library with more than 15,000 books about the history, literature and heritage of the UAE, shedding light on the country’s various historical and cultural aspects, from the ancient civilisations that populated the region until our prosperous present.”