Sharjah Heritage Days 23 Details Unveiled: Radiance Of Authenticity Across Seven Cities

Sharjah Heritage Days will return for its 23rd edition from 4th to 15th February under the theme "Radiance of Authenticity". The Higher Organising Committee outlined an expanded cultural programme, with Portugal named guest of honour, highlighting diplomatic and cultural ties while reinforcing Sharjah’s role as a regional centre for heritage activities.

The event will run across seven locations in the emirate, combining heritage showcases, educational content and live performances. Organisers confirmed participation from 27 countries, more than 265 artisans, dozens of folk groups and a broad schedule of workshops, competitions and artistic events targeting families, students and specialists.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said the 23rd edition marks a notable expansion in scope and content. The programme brings together 40 traditional crafts, 20 forms of folk chants and 41 Arab and international folk groups, which will present 1,173 performances across all venues during the 12 days.

Beyond performances, Dr. Al Musallam stated that Sharjah Heritage Days will deliver more than 307 workshops and 57 educational programmes, alongside 41 live shows and five training courses. The schedule further includes 19 awareness initiatives and 70 heritage competitions, plus 21 activities being introduced for the first time to keep the event dynamic.

The committee confirmed that Sharjah Heritage Days will be held in Sharjah, Khor Fakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, Mleiha, Al Dhaid and Al Hamriyah. This spread across urban and rural areas is designed to reach diverse communities and highlight the range of landscapes and lifestyles represented within the emirate.

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Service and visitor infrastructure has been expanded to support the programme. Abu Bakr Al Kindi, Director of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said more than 500 additional parking spaces are ready, together with the Heritage Days train service, land and sea transport between Dubai and Sharjah, heritage markets, food trucks and participation from productive families.

Sharjah Heritage Days new features and digital tools

Dr. Al Musallam highlighted that this edition stands out for introducing 21 new activities not seen before. These include fresh competitions and programmes designed for children, a wider schedule of Emirati craft workshops, and the launch of an interactive map supported by artificial intelligence to help visitors locate events and venues with greater ease.

The intellectual and artistic strand of Sharjah Heritage Days will centre on the Cultural Café, which will present 14 lectures and 15 book signings and cultural launches. Linked activities will involve theatrical performances, heritage cinema screenings, photography and fine art competitions, plus spaces for live painting, giving researchers and the public structured opportunities for engagement.

Al Kindi explained that Sharjah Heritage Days will also feature heritage cinema, live art zones, immersive exhibition spaces and fine art installations. A first commemorative postage stamp dedicated to the event will be issued. Creative competitions in photography and painting will run alongside these activities, offering platforms for both professional and amateur participants.

The programme will include the Heritage Days Kitchen, a traditional water carrying competition, and children’s corners focused on popular games. Horse and camel caravans and live camel chanting will be staged to present visitors with direct views of earlier forms of daily life, especially for younger audiences and international guests.

Al Kindi said the event is supported by 118 local government entities and eight international organisations, including cultural institutions. Sharjah Police and the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority will act as security partners, while Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and the Sharjah Government Media Office are the official media partners, helping coordinate coverage across traditional and digital channels.

During the press conference at Al Bait Al Gharbi, organisers chose a cultural format rather than a conventional briefing. Attendees watched a short theatrical performance, live folk dances and demonstrations of traditional crafts. Guests moved between exhibits reflecting daily Emirati life, which introduced the edition’s themes in a contemporary setting while keeping authenticity central.

Ambassador Fernando Figueirinhas stated that Portugal is proud to be selected as guest of honour, noting that the participation coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Portugal. The ambassador described the invitation as a celebration of longstanding cultural and civilisational connections between the two countries.

With this organisational and cultural scale, Sharjah Heritage Days continues to be positioned as a major heritage gathering for the region and beyond. The 23rd edition links traditional practices, academic discussion and modern tools, reflecting Sharjah’s ongoing commitment to preserving human heritage and presenting it through formats that speak to current and future audiences.

With inputs from WAM