Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid praises Safa Park’s Archive Library

Dubai: The Archive Library and Cafe in Al Safa Park received unusual praise from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who made a surprise visit to the recreation facility, a statement by the Dubai Municipality stated on Monday. The two facilities, the library and the café, were officially opened last February.

Shaikh Mohammad tweeted last Friday, “I liked the idea of an archive library and cafe inside a great public park like Safa Park of Dubai,” and added, “the project is a distinctive and beautiful idea of our young people, which is the result of will, management and creativity, I wish our young people all success.”

Ahmad Abdul Kareem, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture of Dubai Municipality, said that Dubai aims to provide the perfect environment to experience culturally diverse and intellectually stimulating conversations about art and literature and that the library provides a dynamic space where such conversations can be held.

The Archive Safa Park Dubai is the city’s newest contemporary library focused on art, culture, design and literature. Dedicated to Middle Eastern and North African art literature, the Archive provides a platform to promote a diverse and active cultural community, nurture a new generation’s interest in literature and education, while at the same time create a space of intellectual exploration and entertainment. The Archive is the first specialised library of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa.

The library is located in the heart of Safa Park, near Gate 5. The Archive will present an annual programme of activities that revolve around the arts, architecture and literature as well as public art initiatives that will develop direct audience participation.

Taking advantage of the beautiful landscape of the park, the Archive’s programme includes both indoor and outdoor activities including football, yoga, boot camps, dance classes, musical performances, book launches, book clubs, artist talks, outdoor film screenings, poetry writing, workshops and lots of children’s events.