Dubai, July 13, 2004: Among the vast range of innovative activities organised during the Cartoon Surprises theme week is a workshop where the little ones design the cartoon character of his/ her choice.

Being held at the BurJuman Centre between 5pm and 10pm throughout the theme week, the workshop is aimed at improving the talents and skills of the children, helping them in further augmenting their creativity and imagination.

Noora Al Suwaidi, Head of the Cartoon Surprises Committee, said: "The workshop requires the children to use their imagination, ideas and skills to put together the characters of their choice with the help of the requisite tools." The tools are provided free-of-cost by the Dubai Ports Authority, who are organising the theme week.

Each child has to delve into his or her imagination and come up with a cartoon character of his/ her own, she said, adding that the workshop is divided into four tables, wherein each table has a group of children working with the various tools. "On the first table, each child is carving through a cork to create different shapes and characters of their choice while the second involves the kids colouring the chisselled shapes/ characters," Noora said.

She added that on the third table, the kids stick the artificial eyes, noses, hands and legs to give it the full shape while the little ones add the finishing touches to the shapes/ characters in the fourth table. "In the fourth table, the kids also decorate the characters with the help of accessories, feathers, colourful wires and ribbons. It makes a very interesting sight to see the little ones giving shape to their imaginations," Noora added.

Eleven-year-old Eman Mohammed Saeed from Palestine is one of the kids totally engrossed in creating her favourite cartoon character. "Though I am still in the first stage of this workshop, I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful exercise. I have conjured up a design in my mind and I want to give it a shape. Just see, my cartoon character will be the best," she says, adding: "I really like this kind of workshops, because we work in groups and I can meet new friends and exchange ideas with them."

Ten-year-old Diana Mazin from Syria is equally thrilled to be at BurJuman. "The workshop is really useful. Thanks to it, I have learnt how to create my own cartoon character and now I plan to create a Robot and colour it with my favourite shades," says Diana.

Kamlesh Kumar Jaswani, a 10-year-old from India, is happy that the workshop gave him an opportunity to be creative, in the true sense of the term. "This workshop requires a lot of skill. Since I am able to express myself and showcase my abilities and talents, I feel great," he said.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2004 is currently in the Cartoon Surprises being organised by Dubai Ports Authority till July 14, followed by Flower Surprises by Dubai Municipality from July 15-21, Heritage Surprises by Dubai Customs from July 22-28, Adventure Surprises by Dubai Police from July 29-August 4, Knowledge Surprises by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry from August 5-11, Back-2-School Surprises by the Department of Economic Development from August 12-18 and ends with Colour Surprises by the Department of Health and Medical Sciences from August 19-27, 2004.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact
Hessah Sultan Aurbaya,
Corporate Communication Coordinator,
Dubai Summer Surprises,
Tel: +971-4-202 0510;
Fax: +971-4-222 1110
Email: haurbaya@mydsf.gov.ae

© Press Release 2004