As part of an initiative that aspires to develop the capabilities of emerging generations in the field of making puppets using various materials and employing them theatrically as well as consolidate the horizons of imagination and artistic creativity, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture)is organising puppet making and animating workshops using the ‘Zoom’ programme and under the supervision of narrator and puppet director Ilham Al Hajj. This comes as part of the Dubai Performing Arts Programme that calls for promising talents who are interested in participating and making the best use of their time while committing to staying at home.

The first puppet making workshop will be held over two days. The first day, taking place on Monday, 18^thMay, 9:00 – 9:45 p.m., will provide detailed explanation to the participants about the techniques of making a puppet’s body and head in addition to supporting the theoretical explanation with practical applications. As for the second part of the workshop, which will take place On Tuesday,19^th May, 9:00 – 9:45 p.m., it will cover the methods of making hair and eyes and creating features for the characters. On Wednesday, 20^thMay, 9:00 – 9:45 p.m., Ilham Al Hajj will hold the second workshop through which she will discuss the mechanism of animating the puppets that were made in the first workshop.

Through these workshops, Dubai Culture seeks to activate its partnership with specialists in the puppet theatre field, whether individuals or institutions, to provide an opportunity for the new generation to get acquainted with the exciting world of puppets. The Authority also aims to disseminate the values of beauty and entertainment among young and old members of the UAE community, especially as this art form stimulates the imagination and artistic talents as well as introduces its practitioners to a world of dramatic understanding in the realm of fantasy that distinguishes the puppet theatre. This in addition to the role that the workshops play in providing the younger generations with new life experiences and skills asides from entertaining them.

Ilham El Hajj says: “The puppet is regarded as humankind’s silent friend through all of life’s situations, and working in the field of puppet making and animating creates an artistic atmosphere, especially as puppets recount interesting stories for children and adults. This artform hearkens to the creative industries and legacy of our grandmothers who used to make puppets for children at home, and is an opportunity to celebrate their creations and pass them on to future generations.

This step comes within the framework of Dubai Culture’s commitment to its responsibility towards consolidating the role of culture on the social scale by supporting creative talents in the UAE community and supporting them by providing them with creative, educational activities. It also comes in line with the Authority’sendeavour to achieve one of the goals of Dubai plan 2021 to make the emirate a home for creative and empowered individuals, full of pride and happiness.