- School of Life runs across November with 26 sessions in Dubai Public Libraries.
- Theme is “Health and Sports,” with workshops on mindfulness, breathing, nutrition, languages and creative skills.
- Highlights include Women’s Wellness Journey, Medaf Creative Studio activities, and Mind Matters literary talks.
- Family-friendly options span art, calligraphy, kids’ dioramas, soups and snacks sessions.
- New Music and Performing Arts Club adds a choral workshop; advanced Ruq‘ah calligraphy runs as a nine-part track.
Dubai Culture’s School of Life is back this November with a health-first programme spread across Dubai Public Libraries. Expect 26 practical sessions under the “Health and Sports” theme, built to nudge better habits and support Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy.
Workshops span mindfulness, breathing, nutritious cooking, languages, calligraphy and more, turning libraries into lively community hubs for all ages.
What is School of Life and when is it running?
The initiative returns in November with community sessions across multiple branches. It focuses on everyday well-being and creativity.
- 26 workshops across the month
- Hosted at Dubai Public Libraries
- Mix of health, language and creative topics
- Supports balanced lifestyles
The programme is designed to be approachable: short, focused sessions that fit around daily life. It runs throughout November across the library network, linking body, mind and creative expression while aligning with the city’s quality-of-life goals.
Health and wellness highlights
Several talks and activities address stress, balance, and self-care.
- Women’s Wellness Journey at Al Safa Art & Design Library, led by Dr Leila Souda and Katral Nada Hassan
- Mind Matters discussion by Readers’ Majlis on mental health and resilience in literature
- Mind and Body Balance with breathing practice, creative expression and beeswax candle making
These sessions place practical techniques front and centre, with specialists guiding participants through hormonal balance, stress relief and reflective reading. The line-up blends expert input with hands-on tasks to build skills you can keep using after the workshop ends.
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Creative, language and performance sessions
Libraries double as creative studios this month, with options for beginners and enthusiasts.
- Calligraphy: Ruq‘ah Calligraphy Final Level 301, a nine-part advanced track with Mohammad Altamimi
- Choral in Arabic: National Day at Al Safa, covering warm-ups, articulation and pitch control
- Literature Club at Al Twar: Arabic in Nature series on inner strength and teamwork
From advanced Ruq‘ah drills to a group choral performance, the programme recognises that creative practice is also wellness. The Arabic in Nature sessions connect language learning with mindset and teamwork, keeping things grounded in culture and community.
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Hands-on making and family activities
Kids and families get plenty of tactile options that sneak in good habits.
- Medaf Creative Studio: 3D Sports Diorama, Design Your Ping-Pong Racket, and Vegetable Garden Diorama
- Al Mankhool Library: make a natural foot scrub with L’Atelier des Fêtes
- New calligraphy tasters by Gino Banola: Baybayin on tumblers and jute bags
The Medaf sessions encourage movement and healthy eating through play and craft, while the scrub-making workshop shows how simple ingredients can be effective. The Baybayin lettering classes add a cross-cultural angle to language and design.
Food, art and everyday skills
Practical food and art sessions help build better daily routines.
- Cozy Winter Soups at Hatta Library with Nada Saeed Kattan
- Energy Bites at Al Safa Library
- Draw Your Healthy Plate with Abeer Al Edani
These are small, useful skills with big pay-off. Participants learn to prepare simple, nutritious dishes and to visualise balanced meals through drawing, which is a neat way to make healthy choices stick.
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Why libraries?
Dubai’s public libraries act as inclusive spaces that support learning, wellbeing and culture for all ages.
- Sessions hosted across the library network
- Clubs cover languages, family development, health and nutrition
- New Music and Performing Arts Club expands the creative mix
- Community-first model
The School of Life format turns libraries into lively public spaces where people can try new skills without pressure. The month-long schedule keeps things accessible for different timetables and backgrounds.
What is School of Life?
A Dubai Culture initiative that runs workshops on wellbeing, creativity and everyday skills at Dubai Public Libraries.
When does the November programme run?
Across November 2025, with sessions scheduled throughout the month.
How many sessions are there?
Twenty-six workshops are planned for this edition.
Where are the events held?
Across the Dubai Public Libraries network, including Al Safa, Al Mankhool and Al Twar.
What are some highlights?
Women’s Wellness Journey, Mind Matters, Mind and Body Balance, Medaf Creative Studio activities, calligraphy tracks, and an Arabic choral workshop linked to National Day.
Are there options for kids and families?
Yes. Hands-on crafts like sports dioramas, painted ping-pong rackets, and a vegetable garden model are designed for younger participants, along with family-friendly food and art sessions.
