ABU DHABI, United Arabi Emirates – A new project has been launched by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in a number of malls across the UAE as part of its participation in the Month of Reading this month.
As part of the ‘Book Corners in Coffee Shops’ programme, Starbucks coffee shops across the UAE now includes a dedicated book corner with a collection of books in both Arabic and English languages.
The programme allows visitors from different age groups and backgrounds a chance to enjoy reading while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Afra Al Sabry, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, said that the book corner is only the beginning in a long list of coffee shops to be added to the project throughout the year.
Al Sabri also said that the “Book Corners in Coffee Shops” project comes under the patronage of and receives direct follow up from Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.
Sheikh Nahyan stressed the importance of establishing reading corners in coffee shops across the country, emphasising that this project acts as a cultural addition benefiting shopping-centre goers including men, women and children with different interests.
Al Sabri added that such projects serve the community intellectually and culturally by creating a motivational atmosphere which facilitates reading. “The Ministry was keen on providing a variety of books to serve readers with different interests including culture, art, economy, self-help and languages,” she said.
