Entertainment
Dubai hotel to celebrate the power of books
Dubai hotel to celebrate the power of books Staff Reporter / 25 March 2014 Some of the world’s top authors will be present at The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm, during International Children’s Book Day on April 2. Some of the world’s top authors will be present when Atlantis, The Palm celebrates International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) on April 2 at The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Special guests include Kathryn Cave, award-winning English children’s author of Somewhere Else ; Maitha Al Khayyat, Emirati Children’s author; Rashid Al Kous, General Director of Knowledge Without Border; and Salha Ghabish, author of Dana’s trip . Other activities include face painting, arts and craft, music, storytelling, educational talks and Aquatheatre shows designed to instill the love of reading and ocean conservation. There is an entry ticket for adults priced at Dh100 but free admission for one child (under 11) with each paying adult. Established in 1967, ICBD is celebrated to increase the literacy rate among children. It is managed by the UAE Board of Books for Young People (UAEBBY) and was officially established by Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, UAEBBY Patron. Shaikha Bodour said: “The power of books to open doorways to understanding can never be overstated, which is why every child must have the right to become a reader. International Children’s Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to not only raise awareness within the broader community of the importance of fostering a culture of reading, but also to engage with children in a fun and interactive way that encourages their love for books and reading.” The team at The Lost Chambers Aquarium seeks to make the world a better place, by stimulating the minds of children and educating them about the world and its oceans. In the aquarium, children can explore, touch tanks filled with starfish and pencil urchins, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. They can touch, feel and interact with sea life. Special exhibits are dedicated to different sea creatures, such as the delicate Moon Jellyfish, busy lobster and glittery anchovies — each fascinating to watch and with a story to tell. They can explore The Lost Chambers Aquarium on their own or choose to interact with a ‘Marine Educator’, who shares educational facts. “Childhood is the ideal time to educate children about environmental issues and to broaden their understanding of the world. Being able to read is imperative in helping broaden these horizons,” says Natasha Christie, Director of The Lost Chambers Aquarium. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Solar energy to power ACs in bus shelters
Solar energy to power ACs in bus shelters Staff Reporter / 24 March 2014 The Green Bus experiment that uses solar energy instead of conventional energy sources is also still on, says Dr Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Authority. Solar energy might soon power bus screens and air conditioned bus shelters, according to a Roads and Transport official. Dr Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Authority (PTA) said: “The agency has recently carried out a series of experiments on the use of solar energy instead of conventional energy sources.” “A number of projects based on solar power as a main source of power supply are currently being studied by the Energy Conservation Team of the agency,” he said. “The team is examining a host of initiatives including the use of solar cells to generate the power needed for the operation of bus screens and air-conditioned shelters, besides heating water using solar energy panels fitted to the buildings and premises of the agency,” he said. “The use of solar energy is currently being experimented to power monitors displaying real-time information fitted to bus passenger stations. The experiment was rolled out from bus passenger station at Al Ghubaiba. Approvals were issued at the start of this year to transform and redesign Al Khawaneej Station to be a Model Green Station, and for this purpose specific programmes are being developed for the station covering power consumption, the use of solar energy instead of the ordinary power supply, and the endorsement as well as the introduction of other environmental systems which are environment-friendly and fulfill the stipulations of sustainable development,” explained Al Ali. The Green Bus experiment that uses solar energy instead of conventional energy sources is also still on, said Al Ali adding that Al Khawaneej Station is also being turned into a Model Green Station that will operate on solar power. “The Green Bus model, which is fully illuminated by solar energy cells, is probably the best illustration of the ongoing researches aimed at protecting the environment and embracing the green economy as well as sustainable development concepts,” said Al Ali. “The agency embarked on the Green Bus experiment towards the end of 2012 and the experiment is still in motion and is subject expansion to include larger numbers of the agency’s bus fleet,” he said. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Arab Idol set to enthral at Clusters of Light
Arab Idol set to enthral at Clusters of Light Staff Reporter / 24 March 2014 Assaf will join a stellar cast of Arab performers including Ali Hajjar, Lotfi Bouchnak and Hussein Al Jasmi in addition to a large global team consisting over 700 people. Acclaimed young Palestinian artist Mohammed Assaf — who won the Arab Idol competition in 2013 — arrived in Sharjah to perform in the oratorio Clusters of Light . Assaf will join a stellar cast of Arab performers including Ali Hajjar, Lotfi Bouchnak and Hussein Al Jasmi in addition to a large global team consisting over 700 people. The performance is the inaugural event of Sharjah’s tenure as the Islamic Culture Capital 2014. Composed by Khalid Shaikh, a distinguished Bahraini artist, Clusters of Light is about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and reviews the history of Islam from the Prophet’s birth to his death. Mohammed Assaf said, “I am excited, of course. It will be a thrill to see the audience’s reaction to the many surprises in the show, and to its sheer scale and ambition. I am confident this show will be so spectacular that it will remain in people’s memories forever.” He said he is excited to share the stage with Arab performers when the show opens on March 26 at the 4,500 seat Open Majaz Island Theatre. Assaf became gained international fame after he won the hugely popular talent programme Arab Idol in its second season. He has since gained global recognition and critical acclaim. – afkarali@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
