Irthi Celebrates A Decade Of Empowering Artisans And Promoting Global Handcraft Heritage

The Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council is celebrating its 10th anniversary, having been established in 2015 under the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. This milestone is marked by a series of events and initiatives aimed at empowering women artisans and reviving traditional crafts with a modern twist, while preserving their cultural significance.

Since its inception, Irthi has embodied Sheikha Jawaher's vision to create a sustainable creative economy led by women. The council has expanded from Sharjah to 13 countries, supporting 840 artisans through training, production, skills transfer, and cultural exchange. This growth reflects its commitment to building a comprehensive ecosystem for artisans.

Irthi's global presence has been bolstered through partnerships with renowned brands like Bulgari, Cartier, Design Miami, and Asprey. These collaborations have showcased Emirati crafts at prestigious events worldwide, including Paris, London, Dubai, Moscow, Shanghai, Milan, and São Paulo. Such efforts have strengthened the international appreciation of Emirati crafts.

Reem BinKaram, Director-General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, highlighted the importance of supporting traditional crafts as part of the UAE’s cultural project. She noted that Sharjah has transformed this sector into an economic and social pillar that reflects community identity and enables individuals to contribute to development.

To commemorate its tenth anniversary, Irthi has planned over seven local and international events in cities like Sharjah, London, Basel, and Moscow. These events will feature workshops, exhibitions, expert panel discussions, and new collections that blend heritage aesthetics with contemporary innovation.

Irthi played a significant role in Sharjah's designation as a UNESCO Creative City in Crafts and Folk Arts in 2019. This recognition highlights Sharjah as the home of the authentic 'Talli' craft and a global centre for contemporary craft innovation. The council continues to preserve craft heritage through documentation and contemporary presentation.

Empowering Women Artisans

The council's decade-long journey has championed a global renewal of heritage by strengthening Emirati crafts internationally while establishing local appreciation for artisanal creativity as a national resource. This enhances identity and opens prospects for Emirati women in the creative sector.

Irthi's efforts include producing research papers and publications such as ‘Palm Fibre,’ ‘Crafting Natural Dyes,’ ‘Perfume,’ ‘Recipes for the Future’, and ‘Architecture of Culture.’ In 2024 alone, the council organised over 60 workshops with nearly 1,400 participants.

The ten-year milestone marks the launch of a new phase focused on empowerment and innovation. Irthi continues to support artisans locally and globally while promoting sustainability in the crafts sector. The council explores new avenues for skills development and market expansion.

With each initiative and collection introduced by Irthi, there is a reaffirmation of its dedication to revitalising traditional crafts within contemporary life. This ensures that Emirati craft heritage remains vibrant and serves as an inspiration for future generations to embrace creativity alongside cultural pride.

With inputs from WAM