Originally built during the late 1980’s, Al Khazzan Park, a family park, was one of the few community parks that offers a green haven for relaxation within the urban environment of Al Satwa. Khazzan will be conceived as a critical engagement, catering the space for workshops, public talks, movie screenings, exhibitions, installations, markets, and a free library with vintage Middle Eastern Magazin
es. Khazzan's content revolves around the Heritage of the Middle East and tackles the tension of post modernism in the region. Being engaged in public spaces builds within residents a strong sense of community. It will nurture their feeling of belonging, and this will benefit in the city evolving. This will also be reflected, not limited to residents, but on tourists as well. Hence, civic spaces become the identity for culture, and the image of the country. Program:
- Library: An archive of Vintage Middle Eastern Magazines Library with free access. The library will gather 1000 carefully selected magazines and articles from the Middle East and North Africa, that deal with Architecture, Art, Design, Sociology, and Literature.
- Workshops: “Adapting our Middle Eastern Heritage” is the theme of Khazzan’s workshops program. Workshops will be hosted on a weekly basis, with 4 themes: Design, Make, Visualise, and Imprint. All of the topics’ content will be practical, and serve as an eye opener to the heritage of this region in terms of education, and preservation.
- Public talks: “Regional Conversations” is the concept of the programing for public talks, catering two public talks per month. Khazzan will gather public publishers and academics who undertake projects dealing with heritage, art and culture. The public talks will serve on emphasizing the values of the cultural legacy in the region.
- Canteen: Serves the general public with food, salads, coffee, tea, and juices. Being an important entity among Khazzan’s program, the canteen will also be a tool of further engagement: Inside, on one wall will be the studies and drawings of the water tower, and on the other wall, the drawings and texts of the Dubai Petroleum building.
- Courtyard: A table of 12m and a space able to fit up to 100 people. The garden is a multipurpose area conceived for gatherings, workshops, events, and talks.
- Archival Gallery: A periodic rotating exhibition will occur in the Archival Gallery, for Ammar al Attar’s photos collection. The cultural weight resides in the images themselves: Al Attar has been exploring the photographic studios in his native UAE from early 60’s and 70’s. Therefore, not only witnessing their photos, but also learning about those photographers is part of the Heritage.
- Flower Market: Khazzan will organize a flower market once per month. Florists will gather in the park to showcase their beautiful flowers and plants. And around them, will be kiosks of food, book stands, pottery and artisan works made for plants.
- Food Market: Khazzan will provide weekly food markets that will be themed and relevant to the main content.
- Installations: “Shading in the Summer” is the main theme for Khazzan’s installations. International designers and architects will be called to expose an installation about UAE’s heritage.
