• Dubai Culture Unveils Holal To Showcase The Essence Of The Arabic Language

    In line with the Arabic Language Charter announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai

    Umbrella initiative aimed at promoting and nurturing the portrayal of the Arabic language amongst the youth

    Announcement of Holal marks UNESCO’s World Arabic Language Day

    In line with the Arabic Language Charter announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as the centre of excellence for the Arabic language, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, has unveiled Holal, a multi-faceted initiative to showcase the essence and portrayal of the Arabic language.

    Marking UNESCO’s World Arabic Language Day (December 18), Holal will be driven under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, and features a series of initiatives aimed at reinforcing the essence and presentation of the Arabic language, thereby strengthening UAE’s National Identity in line with the UAE Vision 2021.

    His Highness Sheikh Majid said: “Under the Arabic Language Charter launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Culture is taking significant steps to further reiterate the presence of the Arabic language, which is one of the most crucial elements of our cultural identity, and is intricately linked with our history and heritage.

    “Through Holal, we are fortifying the understanding of the language, its richness and vividness to our future generations. Alongside, the initiative will lead to a stronger appreciation of the Arabic language. This in turn will also enable us to highlight our cultural identity and underline Dubai’s position as the region’s cultural destination.”

    Under Holal, which derives its name from an Arabic word for ‘adornment,’ Dubai Culture aims to present the Arabic language in a contemporary, progressive image by providing training and support to Emirati publishers to amplify the publishing industry in the region and encourage the creation of original Arabic content. The training will position the UAE’s Arabic publishing industry as the benchmark for the region. The Authority will also reproduce a series of existing Arabic books by redesigning, repackaging, and redistributing classics, to enhance their visual aesthetics and increase awareness of some of the greatest Arabic works ever written while sparking the interest of the younger generations.

    Holal will also host an initiative to design Arabic fonts for electronic use in publishing and printing. The Authority will invite artists and designers to discuss the challenges faced by the publishing industry and stress the importance of implementing authentic, legible Arabic fonts for the purpose of presenting the Arabic written word in its most aesthetic and engaging form.

    The various Dubai Public Library branches, owned and operated by Dubai Culture, will play a significant role in promoting Holal, through launching various Arabic book clubs and activities for the mass public, and specifically children, aimed at promoting the use of the Arabic language amongst children.

    The initiatives under Holal will be launched in 2013, and will continue throughout the course of the year.

    The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority is committed to cultivating the cultural landscape of Dubai by building on our rich Arabian heritage, nurturing and promoting talent in the field of literature, and encouraging intercultural dialogue between the city’s communities.

    For more information, please contact Dubai Culture via email at holal@dubaiculture.ae, or call us at 04 515 5004. www.dubaiculture.ae.

    Emirate:  Dubai

    Date: Dec 17, 2012

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