UMM AL QUWAIN // Hundreds of children have converged in the emirate this week to enjoy a boost to their happiness factor.
All the activities at the five-day Children’s Happiness Festival at the UAQ Cultural and Knowledge Development Centre, which finishes on Thursday, are aimed at spreading joy in the community.
There were workshops and fun to be had in painting, reading, gardening, cooking and craft-making as well as musical and dance performances, competitions and a heritage corner.
“I sang and danced with my friends on the podium and coloured a happy face,” said three-year-old Kenzy Waleed, from Egypt.
Kenzy said it was her first visit to the festival where she was happy to have made new friends.
Her mother said the title of the event had caught her attention.
“When I knew the event was about happiness, I brought my daughter here to make her happy,” she said.
“This festival is very beneficial for kids because it makes them more social and have new friends.”
Maitha Al Marzooqi, an Emirati Grade 2 pupil, came with her mother to the festival.
“I loved the festival so much because it has different activities and traditional food,” said the eight-year-old.
“I came here to play in the playground and draw. I drew a girl and coloured a smiley face.
“Also I loved the heritage corner that gives us information about the heritage of the UAE.”
Maitha’s mother said the festival was a wonderful opportunity to bring children together and get them away from computer screens.
“It has amazing activities that make kids happy and benefit them,” the 45-year-old Emirati said.
“As well, it pulls them away for technology and leads them to get out and enjoy the outdoor activities.”
Naglaa Yousif, a Grade 1 pupil from Egypt, came for three days with her mum and siblings to participate in the festival’s workshops.
“I made a sandwich and juice in the cooking corner and it was so fun because I made food for the first time,” said the six-year-old. “Also, I enjoyed the painting corner.”
Abdullah Buosaibah, manager of the event’s venue, said the festival was aimed at providing cultural activities among families.
The theme the event wanted to get across, he said, was that happiness and positivity were a lifestyle.
“The event’s aim was to spread joy in the community,” he said.
“It is for all community members, kids and adults, and we even provided a free space where creative families could market their products.”
The festival concludes on Thursday with a workshop for adults about how to be positive in life and work, said Mr Buosaibah.
roueiti@thenational.ae
