FELICITATION: The Shantiniketan Indian School felicitated Balakrishnan, an employee, for his trustworthiness, honesty, dedication and commitment to work at the school during his tenure. The ceremony was attended by KC Abdul Latheef (president), Dr Subhash B Nair (principal), Shihabudeen (vice-principal), Dudley (vice-principal) and Abdul Salam (administrator).
By Anand Holla
When the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) organised a first-of-its-kind event titled ‘Night at the Museum’, as part of its fascinating new exhibition ‘Marvellous Creatures: Animal Fables in Islamic Art’, it was just one of a series of educational events and initiatives on offer by the museum this summer.
Aimed at families as part of the museum’s continued efforts to support the local community, the educational activities on offer this summer include talks and tours, family activities, library activities, activities for schools, calligraphy workshops and art workshops. Here’s a quick run through some of the highlights of the summer education calendar, courtesy MIA:
As part of Qajar Women: Images of Women in 19th Century Iran, a special lecture by exhibition curators Dr Nur Sobers-Khan and Dr Mounia Abudaya will be held on May 20 at 4:30pm. Join MIA’s exhibition curator for a detailed look at the themes and artworks from the Qajar period in Iran.
On June 3, at 11:30am, join the curator duo as they lead a Ladies Only tour of the exhibition which demonstrates the centrality of women in the artistic expression of 19th-century Iran and how it continues to inspire contemporary artists. While all activities are free of charge, these two require prior booking.
If you like to do a mini art walk, try the Walk In Gallery Tours every Thursday and Saturday, 2pm, as museum guides will treat you to a tour of MIA’s stunning collection of Islamic Art objects, stretching over 1400 years and three continents. These are available in Arabic and English, and the tours will run at 9pm during Ramadan.
For Science in Art Tours every Wednesday at 2pm, join museum guides for a tour of scientific instruments and themes through the collection. This is also available in Arabic and English, and will run at 9pm during Ramadan.
As for the round of family activities this summer, check out Tales from the Islamic World, which will take place on May 8, 22, and June 12, at 3pm and 6pm; and later on June 26 and July 10 at 9pm and 10pm.
Explore the Marvellous Creatures: Animal Fables in Islamic Art exhibition with your family and join a special 30-minute story time inside the exhibition gallery to hear ancient fables from One Thousand and One Nights, and the Shahnameh, run in partnership with Children’s Literature Club. Suitable for younger children, this event is in Arabic.
Join the interactive story session and hands-on craft activity of Animal Fables in Action on May 23 and June 20, 3pm to 4:30pm, run in partnership with Maktaba. Suitable for children aged three to seven years, this event is in English.
On May 14, at 6pm, check out Family Thursday Late: Exhibition Special as the exhibition curator will take your family on a guided tour of the exhibition. For those keen about calligraphy, there’s the Walk-in Calligraphy Workshop every Saturday until June 13, 1pm to 3pm, as families get together to explore ancient Arabic writing and scripts from the past. All ages are welcome.
On May 8 and 9, 6pm, join Garbage Monster — A Karagoz Performance by the Istanbul Karagoz Puppet Foundation. Karagoz shadow puppetry began in the Mamluk period in Egypt, and travelled to Turkey with the Ottoman conquest of the region. Puppetry is an exciting visual and aural performance with live music and traditional songs to delight the whole family.
And then, of course, there’s the MIA library with its spectacular collection open on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, 12 noon to 5pm; and Thursday, Saturday 12 noon to 8pm.
