Tag Archives: children
July 4th special: Experiencing US flavour
July 4th special: Experiencing US flavour Sarah Young / 6 July 2013 A mechanical bull, Creedance Clearwater Revival, and plenty of red, white and blue confetti helped the American community in Dubai celebrate the 237th anniversary of their country’s independence, as trade relations with the UAE continue to grow. Consulate General of the USA political-economic station chief Tanya Spencer said the 4th of July event, attended by about 600 people, not only marked the US declaration of independence, but also the success of the American business community in the UAE. Trade value figures were up 33 per cent year-to-date, compared with the January to May period last year, and this was on top of a record-breaking performance last year, she said. “Where economic ties are, others are sure to follow.” Council president Ramsey Jurdi said the US was increasingly focusing on exports, as traditionally about 90 per cent of US companies had focused on the home market. Last year, US companies exported products worth more than $22.5 billion to the UAE, while in early 2013 UAE exports to the US increased by 40 per cent. Jurdi said council membership, sitting at more than 500, was steadily growing following a slight dip during recession, and it was estimated there were about 900 US businesses operating in the UAE. This was the largest gathering of US citizens during the year. “It’s about tradition … it’s nice when you get that flavour of home here in Dubai.” Karam Noufal, who came to Dubai from Chicago two years ago, said the event was important to ensure his children kept their ‘bond’ with the US. “It’s good to belong to somewhere. “It’s fun for the kids and they can get to know their culture.” Arabian Gas general manager Robinson Leiva attended with his wife Alejandra Sanchez, and their three children, two of whom are studying in the US. Leiva said it was a big deal for the family, who came to Dubai two years ago from Florida, but were originally from Chile, “because we are (US) citizens by choice.” “It’s about family time really. Our kids are visiting and we don’t see them that often.” Kevin Crosby, from Missouri, said the principles behind the celebration were still relevant. “Lots of folks in this part of the world are looking for something different, the same idea our founding fathers had in mind. They’re definitely trying to find their own voice.” The dinner, held at the Meydan Hotel, featured entertainment from the Yale Whiffenpoofs, America’s oldest collegiate a cappella group, who were in Dubai as part of a 26-nation tour. sarah@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Exhibiting the brilliance of little stars
Exhibiting the brilliance of little stars Sarah Young / 5 July 2013 An exhibition this weekend featuring works of artists as young as six, will showcase what parents say is an integral part of developing their children’s personality in the age of technology. The ‘Seven Artists, One Place’ exhibition being held today, organised by Urban Tribe Events, will feature paintings by children from Dubai and Sharjah, aged between six and nine, students of Iranian artist Afsoun Javadi, who is their private art teacher. Sharjah parent Noor Al Qassimi said the exhibition was a chance for her daughters Mahra, 8, and Alya, 6, “to shine”. They have been taking classes two or three times a week for two years. “Ever since they were scribbling all over my walls and doing their own art projects. I always felt their drawings had something to do with their personality, and I really wanted someone to explain what those drawings meant.” There are artists on both sides of their family, and Al Qassimi had always loved to draw so she began to take classes, which her children also joined soon after. It was wonderful to see her children improve and become more confident, with Alya having more of a classical art style, while Mahra “didn’t follow the rules”, she said. One of the artworks to be displayed at the exhibition. “This is a very good way to express their feelings, personality…at school they have to follow rules, guidelines. They can’t be themselves.” “They just love it. Since they were kids, it’s been the only activity they wouldn’t scream or cry about. I tried everything from horse-riding to gymnastics…and the only teacher they would look forward to seeing was Afsoun. She has this calmness to her.” Many of her relatives’ children took art tuition, she said. “Art is very important — they do stuff with their hands — especially in this generation of technology and iPads. You don’t see anyone shining with their personality through them. ‘It’s this game, it’s not me’. The ‘me’ is hidden.” Dubai parent Samah Aldhahri has also been taking classes with Afsoun Javadi for about a year, and her son Saif Ahmad Alghurair, 9, started a few months ago. “We wanted to encourage him, to help boost his self-confidence and see he is capable of doing things. “Art has a huge value for his personality and his life. Every person has to have a hobby. It’s good to live life like that. “They do some at school, but not much, and it’s just the normal things.” Art was also a good alternative to television and technology, she said. “Since he was a baby I haven’t let him watch much TV. I would rather he play with things like play dough, animals, do creative and athletic things…it’s better for his personality. A lot of small boys are just always in the mall or on electronics. “His dad and I are so proud of his work.” Saif, whose favourite things to paint are horses, said while art would not be his main career – “I want to be a businessman, like my dad” – he would continue doing it for a long time. He was “very excited” to have people come and see his work. “It’s a cool thing. I love the classes, it’s really fun to learn new colours and things.” Javadi came to Dubai in the year 2000 to initially teach in schools and universities – where she could have up to 145 students at one time- and then decided to work with individuals. “I can focus on them more and we get better results in a shorter period. They can explore more. Each artist has completely different personality. I’m trying to help them find themselves, their own style, their own interests.” The exhibition was the result of about a year’s worth of work. “We want to show them what they can do with their art…motivate them to keep pursuing it.” Some of the paintings, which feature animals and self-portraits, will also be on sale at the exhibition being held from 6pm to 10pm at Warehouse No 2, Street 17, in Al Quoz Industrial Area 4. sarah@khaleejtimes.com . Continue reading
A taste of UAE tradition
A taste of UAE tradition Lily B. Libo-on / 24 June 2013 Arab expatriates and their families in the UAE have been looking forward to joining Hag Al Leila celebrations, observed midway through the month of Shaaban, to feel in their hearts the tradition that only the UAE in the GCC religiously and traditionally celebrates. Egyptian Khalid Shaaban and wife Lamiya, who have been in the UAE for five years, are among those expatriates, who are excited to participate in the celebrations. “Preparations for Ramadan actually begin with this night-time celebration ‘Hag Al Leila’, but we do not practice it in Egypt. We observe Ramadan only. When I and my family first came here, I was amazed to see how the UAE celebrates the occasion with fervor and excitement,” Shaaban said. He said he never missed bringing their children to the Hag Al Leila celebrations so they could learn by experience how Emiratis celebrate this tradition. “I want my children to see for themselves how Hag Al Leila is being celebrated so that they will grow up with this experience in their heart. Then, they will appreciate completely the observance of Ramadan from the first day of its preparation,” he added. Shaaban came to the Hag Al Leila celebration, organised by the Sharjah Museums on Saturday, in cooperation with other government and private entities at the Sharjah Heritage Museum, with his twin daughters, 14, five-year-old son and six-month-old baby that his wife patiently held in her arms all throughout the four-hour celebration. Wahiba Al Alawi, a Bahraini student, said that she found joy in witnessing and in becoming part of the celebration. “This is one tradition we miss at home. But, here in the UAE it is very much alive with students, teachers, families and visitors enjoying and preparing before the start of Ramadan. I have learnt a lot and, of course, I am queuing up to go around and fill my traditional bag with sweets, dates, and nuts. I am excited, for this is my first time to join with my teacher and classmates,” she said. A Kuwaiti national, Wathiqa Al Nafisi, is filled with the same excitement. “I am here for holidays, and reading in the newspaper about the upcoming event, I became curious to see what it is, and how it will be celebrated, for we do not have it. It is heart-warming to see all these girls in traditional dresses singing traditional songs and boys dancing their traditional dances. I am glad I have decided to come at this time of the year,” she said. Syrian couple, Ashur and Yalda Al Halbi, came with their two sons, aged nine and five. Ashur said, “Hag Al Leila is always in the family calendar yearly. We welcome it, and my boys are looking forward to it when they can participate and come home with the traditional bag full of candies, nuts, and others.” “Today, they have the special “Halwan” with the Arabic bread as a surprise. So cute,” said Yalda. Before the start of the celebration, Ashur said that their sons joined in the free educational workshop of making a traditional bag supervised by the staff of the Sharjah Maritime Museum. “It is not only fun. My kids have learnt something new today,” he said. An Emirati traditional celebration, Hag Al Leila is an annual occasion in the middle of Shaaban — the eighth month in the Islamic Hijri calendar — where families in the UAE exchange sweets and nuts in preparation for the arrival of Ramadan, something they are proud to share with the expatriates in the UAE, particularly Muslims who have not experienced it in their own homeland. lily@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading