Read with a star in Abu Dhabi's parks

Ali Al Saloum reading to children. Supplied photo

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADCM) hopes to open a new chapter in residents' reading habits here by organising a series of 'Reading with a Star' events in the Capital's parks.
The initiative is inspired by the declaration of 2016 as the Year of Reading by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Arab Reading Challenge initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
So far, the ADCM has engaged Emirati personalities to read to the public in Abu Dhabi's Al Bahya, Dalma and Khalifa parks. Many stars, including Emirati poet Ali Al Khawwar, Emirati heritage public speaker and media personality Ali Al Saloum and Emirati writer Omar Al Amiri - author of the story collection A Mere Dream - took part in the event. According to the ADCM, such events contribute to motivating students to read, as well as to improve their language skills and general knowledge. Since the participating parks are home to libraries as well, the events help in transforming the community's concept about parks from just entertainment venues to fertile environments for instilling values and concepts aimed at the welfare of society.
During an event, the ADCM presented entertaining and educational activities such as story-based contests and puppet shows, gave away free books and ran the Reading Open Day at park libraries.
Later this year, the municipality is planning to open two libraries at Al Wathba Park and the public beach at the Corniche. In 2015, 16,602 people used libraries in Abu Dhabi - 5,125 in Al Bahya Park library; 7,607 in Khalifa Park library; and 3,870 in the Corniche Beach Library.
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