20 March 2017
The Authority marks the day with a range of internal and external initiatives to spread joy inside the Authority and beyond to the whole community

Dubai, UAE - Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has celebrated International Happiness Day 2017 with a range of internal and external initiatives that have spread joy inside the Authority and beyond to the whole community. The activities took place on Monday 20th March and were organised by Dubai Culture’s Happiness Team and Chief of Happiness & Positivity Latifa bin Demaithan, in alignment with the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity and the Dubai Plan 2021.

Latifa bin Demaithan, Chief of Happiness & Positivity and Office Manager of the Vice Chairman at Dubai Culture, commented: “At Dubai Culture, we give happiness and positivity pride of place in our work environment and all that we do. By making happiness a key tenet of our day-to-day work and initiatives, we hope to spread a culture of happiness and positivity from the inside out, inspiring our content employees to redouble their efforts in launching happiness programmes as part of all of our endeavours. This year, we celebrated International Happiness Day with a full range of internal and external activities that have brought cheer and joy to both the Authority’s employees and the wider community through events like SIKKA Art Fair 2017 and the ‘Reading Box’.”

External happiness activities included a ‘Self-Driven Change’ course hosted in collaboration between Dubai Culture and Dubai Courts, which aimed to promote a self-motivated journey of internal and external happiness by encouraging attendees to determine their strengths and put them to the service of others. The course was held in Creek Park and led by specialist in positive energy, neural health and meditation. International Happiness Day also saw the launch of a convivial Dubai Airport activation, which was organised in collaboration between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai and Smart Dubai Gov. Promoting collaboration and creating happy memories, visitors at the airport were welcomed with happiness gifts distributed by Dubai Culture’s ‘Happiness Heroes’, airport employees, and professionals from other government entities. The initiative gave visitors the warmest of welcomes to Dubai.

SIKKA Art Fair 2017 was also a hub of positivity on International Happiness Day, as the seventh edition of the fair has introduced a myriad of happiness boosting initiatives for all ages. Dedicated children’s workshops included ‘Right Side Brain Activation Painting’, ‘Yoga for Kids’ and ‘Happiness Jar’, while adults were invited to partake in ‘Blindfolded Art Therapy’, ‘Laughter Meditation’ and ‘Sound Healing Meditation with Singing Bowls’. During the fair, the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity also staged an interactive showcase of children’s drawings as part of the ‘Happiness in the Eyes of UAE Children’ initiative. With a core focus on spreading joy and creativity, SIKKA Art Fair’s workshops and happiness initiatives promoted contentment and well-being among all members of society.

The Authority also kicked off its ‘Reading Box’ initiative on International Happiness Day, offering a variety of activities that spread happiness and positivity, including a dedicated happiness programme and lecture, an introduction to a new happiness book written by Abdulla Al Kaabi, and a ‘Happiness from Space’ programme from Nasser Al Rashidi, CEO of Happiness at UAE Space Agency. The ongoing initiative supports the UAE’s National Reading Strategy and the National Month of Reading in March, aiming to share the joy of literature and reading with the community via a book exhibition, workshops, book signings and interactive reading sessions that take place across the city. In addition, Dubai Public Library – Al Twar branch organised a special activity to celebrate the day, by distributing a series of books to library visitors under the theme ‘Happiness is Owning a Book’.

The storytelling fun did not stop at the ‘Reading Box’ on International Happiness Day, with Emirati tales being recounted at the Etihad Museum and at Dubai Culture’s headquarters in Festival City. Back at the Authority’s HQ, the team enjoyed an extra injection of happiness with internal activities including a gift to all employees of the latest book written by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – ‘Reflections on Happiness and Positivity.’ Smiley face cookies and balloons were also distributed throughout Dubai Culture’s offices to enhance the festive atmosphere on this happy occasion.

Dubai Culture is committed to supporting the National Program of Happiness and Positivity and furthering the UAE leadership’s vision of bringing happiness to all walks of society. The Authority plays an active role in enhancing community happiness via its wide range of initiatives, which serve to enrich the Emirate’s cultural scene, bring joyful artistic experiences to the community, and celebrate Emirati heritage to enhance civic pride and contentment.

For more information, kindly visit:

Web: www.dubaiculture.gov.ae 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DubaiCultureArtsAuthority 
Twitter: @DubaiCulture
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DubaiCulture
Instagram: @dubaiculture

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About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority: 
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in order to drive the growth of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape. The Authority has grown to play a major role in the realization of the Dubai Plan 2021, to highlight Dubai as a thriving capital for creative industries and further embed the Emirate’s credentials as a city of happy, creative and empowered people.

As part of its mandate, Dubai Culture has several initiatives that are focused on strengthening both the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai, including Dubai Art Season - the city’s premier umbrella arts initiative which kicks off with Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and encompasses Art Week including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, and SIKKA Art Fair, Middle East Film & Comic Con, SIKKA Art Fair - an annual event aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists in the UAE and the wider GCC region, Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre - an annual festival that fosters the art of theatre in the UAE and that is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, and Dubai Next - a dynamic platform that aims to showcase the Emirate’s cultural ethos and its vibrant creative scene on the global stage.

The Authority’s other key initiatives include Creatopia (www.creatopia.ae) - the nation’s first government empowered virtual community that guides and nurtures the creative culture of the nation and provides a platform of information and opportunities that lead to exposure and personal growth.

Dubai Culture also plays a leading role in support of the UAE National Strategy for Reading 2026, in particular by undertaking a major refurbishment of all Dubai Public Libraries branches to transform them into state-of-art cultural and artistic hubs. Across all of its branches, Dubai Public Library also provides children and young adults with a range of educational and entertaining activities that encourage the use of its facilities. The ‘Our Summer is Filled with Culture & Arts Programme’ is a Dubai Public Library initiative which complements the UAE National Reading Strategy, with its activities open to all age groups, and which revolve around four key themes: happiness, reading, family and the future.

The Authority also manages more than 17 heritage sites across the Emirate, and is a key government stakeholder in the development of the Dubai Historical District. As the custodian Authority of Dubai’s museum sector, Dubai Culture will officially launch Etihad Museum and in December 2016. The museum will provide platform to encourage cultural exchange and to connect Emirati youth with their culture and history. As part of the Authority mandate to support Dubai’s vision of becoming the focal point of diverse cultural exchange (regionally & globally), the museums will play a catalyst role in preserving Emirati Heritage.

For more information on Dubai Culture, visit www.dubaiculture.gov.ae

© Press Release 2017