Reading made fun for kids at Burj Khalifa

In celebration of the 'month of reading' initiative, a campaign launched by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) saw reading made fun for students on the 112th floor of the Burj Khalifa.
As part of the 'Read, Dream, Create' campaign, 80 students from different schools across the UAE reached for the skies in the world's tallest tower with a reading-focussed event that also hosted art and entertainment workshops.
The event reflects the campaign's efforts to promote a culture of reading among Emirati communities, especially among children and young adults.
Author Maitha Al Khayat conducted the first reading session in which she read her books Jawareb Ummi Al Ajeeba (Mom's Amazing Socks), and Al Qamla Al Hareba (The Runaway Louse). Author Asma Kalban conducted the second reading session and read her book Ansoj Morabaan (I Weave a Square), and Badriya Al Shamsi's book Al Asmak Al Taaira (The Flying Fish). Children also recreated the stories by using their talents and skills to paint and act.
"We organised these sessions in the tallest tower in the world, which symbolises one of man's great architectural achievements, while reading symbolises one of his greatest intellectual achievements. We are bringing the two summits together to reflect the vision of the UAE in aiming for the highest levels of cultural awareness," said Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY Executive Board.
"Through these sessions, we shed light on the role of the UAEBBY in instilling a love of reading within children and young adults, emphasising that reading opens up entirely new worlds. It also provides the means to build knowledge-based generations who are able to develop their minds and their nation," Al Aqroubi added.
The Read, Dream, Create campaign has blended knowledge and entertainment through reading sessions in order to show that reading is fun and holds the key to innovation. Lamia Al Raei and Adnan Salloum also conducted workshops such as face-painting and doll-making for children.
Through the Read, Dream, Create campaign - which was launched in 2013 - the UAEBBY seeks to bring children and books together to promote the importance of reading among Emirati communities. It also aims to encourage children and young people to read, innovate and create. It encourages them to develop their writing skills and transform their ideas into engaging, well-written stories.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com