Total media coverage Kutubna 2024-2025

Whether you're settling back after a summer getaway or you've been enjoying the city all along, you might be asking yourself, “What to do in Dubai this month?” Look no further. As September rolls in, Dubai is bustling with fresh energy; From exploring new art exhibitions to uncovering the city’s latest cultural hotspots and new dining experiences, this is your go-to guide for the best things to do in Dubai this September.

Browse Books at Kutubna Cultural Center (and catch the ongoing Arab art exhibition)

It's back to school and work season, so you might be feeling bookish. If so, look no further than Dubai's homegrown bookshop, a hidden gem in the Nadd Al Hamar area – Kutubna – meaning 'our books' in Arabic. Founded in 2023 by Emarti scholar Shatha Almutawa, Kutubna features a range of 5,000 English and Arabic, new and used titles on history, literature and socio-political matters written mostly by authors associated with the Middle East and North Africa.

But it is more than just a bookshop. Across two floors, Kutubna also accommodates a cafe, event spaces for workshops and lectures, a children's play area and an art gallery, currently showcasing an exhibition of 27 paintings by acclaimed Arab artists. Running until October 13, “One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017” features works, focusing on calligraphy, abstraction and landscape scenery, by the Syrian artist Fateh Moudarres, the Lebanese artist Amine El Bacha, the Tunisian artist Khaled Ben Slimane, the Emirati artist Najat Makki, among others.

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The interiors of Kutubna emanate an artistic touch for its walls render colourful murals by the Filipino artist Cholo Juan of three of Almutawa's family members, who appreciated the written word. One of the depicted individuals is Almutawa's great-great-grandmother, who wrote poetry. Meanwhile, another wall shows her spectacled grandfather, who owned his own library and passed his love of reading on to his children and grandchildren. @kutubnadubai