Dubai Culture Spreads Joy from the Inside Out on International Happiness Day 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, March 20 2017:  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.