During the weekend of Dec. 5-6, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan celebrates Muslim arts in events focused on Arabic and Persian cultures. Yekibood Children, a program for bilingual and multilingual families of Persian descent, presents a series of programs celebrating the Winter Solstice. In “The Story of Yalda,” the group’s teaching artists introduce Persian culture through interactive music, dance, and storytelling performances. December 5, 2 & 3:30 p.m. Yekibood Children, making use of special pens and ink, offers an introduction to the elegant art of Persian calligraphy for ages six and older. Dec. 6, 2-4 p.m. On Dec. 6, 2:30 & 3:30 p.m., Yekibood Children focuses on Winter Solstice as a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink, and read poetry. Fruits such as pomegranates are eaten and have significant meaning during this time, and participants will learn how to make a delicious pomegranate salad and yogurt deserts.
“How Many Donkeys? An Arabic Counting Tale,” written by Nadia Jameel Taibah and Margaret Read MacDonald, offers youngsters of all ages an interactive storytelling experience where they can learn how to count in Arabic as Jouha travels to the market. Dec. 5-6, 12:30 p.m.
Join in offering wishes for the whole world, by contributing to an evolving sculpture by artists Saks Afridi and Qinza Najm of the Artist Collaborative Bolo. Appropriate for all ages. Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m.-noon.
The Tisch Building, 212 W. 83rd St. Museum admission is $12; $ 8 for seniors; free for infants under a year. Information at cmom.org.
