Portugal's Culture Secretary Visits Sharjah To Strengthen Cultural Ties

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, met Alberto Fernando Santos, Secretary of State for Culture of the Portuguese Republic, at Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi’s Centre in University City. The meeting focused on strengthening cultural and historical cooperation and highlighted Sharjah’s role as a hub for research into Portugal’s presence in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

The Ruler of Sharjah stressed that culture and history form key pillars of human awareness and social development. He reaffirmed steady support for cultural and intellectual initiatives, and for institutions that document historical events using scientific methods. He underlined the need for accurate records based on original sources, so that future generations receive a clear, objective picture of past events.

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During the discussions, the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed Alberto Fernando Santos and the accompanying delegation, noting the long-standing cultural and historical links between Sharjah and the Portuguese Republic. He said these relations rest on dialogue between civilisations and shared interest in culture, history, and scientific research, and added that such exchanges help strengthen channels of communication between peoples across different regions.

The Ruler of Sharjah explained that Portugal’s history is rich in events and major changes and that this period holds particular interest. He said he has devoted years to studying the Portuguese presence in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean and has assembled a large archive of original manuscripts and documents that describe political, economic, and social interactions in that era in considerable detail.

He noted that this research work is ongoing, as he continues to write and document different stages of Portuguese history. The Ruler of Sharjah pointed out that his approach depends on original documentation and verified evidence. He highlighted the importance of using history responsibly, presenting it without exaggeration or distortion, and ensuring that narratives remain faithful to proven facts and credible academic standards.

The Ruler of Sharjah recalled a recent visit to the Portuguese Republic, where he met the President of Portugal and received the Grand Collar, the country’s highest cultural distinction. He expressed pride in this honour and conveyed his thanks and appreciation to the President of the Portuguese Republic and the Portuguese people for their warm reception, which he said reflected strong cultural and human ties.

Ruler of Sharjah academic collections and delegation visit

For his part, Alberto Fernando Santos thanked the Ruler of Sharjah for the reception and hospitality. He praised the Ruler of Sharjah’s academic contribution to Portuguese history, especially the collection, documentation, and preservation of records about Portugal’s role in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Santos said the Portuguese people value researchers who handle this shared history in an honest and scientific way.

Santos also highlighted Sharjah’s broad commitment to culture, science, and heritage. He pointed to the many universities, libraries, and cultural institutions in the emirate, and to the specialised academic and research programmes they host. He expressed hope that the Ruler of Sharjah’s publications will reach a wide readership and said further visits to the Portuguese Republic would help deepen cultural cooperation between the two sides.

During the visit, the Ruler of Sharjah presented the delegation with the Portuguese edition of his book "Deep-Seated Malice". The Portuguese side offered a commemorative gift in return, in recognition of the Ruler of Sharjah’s intellectual work and his role in reinforcing cultural links between Sharjah and the Portuguese Republic through research, writing, and institutional support for cultural projects.

The Ruler of Sharjah then accompanied Alberto Fernando Santos and the delegation on a tour of Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi’s Centre. The guests viewed rare documents and manuscripts, decorations, medals, certificates, titles, and historical photographs. These exhibits trace the Ruler of Sharjah’s academic and cultural journey and illustrate the breadth of his engagement with regional and international historical studies.

During the tour, the Ruler of Sharjah explained how the Centre’s collections are organised. He described the classification of Portuguese documents by historical period and theme, and their value for understanding Portugal’s role in the region through a documented, scientific lens. Attending the reception were Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud, Fernando Dourado Figueirinhas, Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Ali Ibrahim Al Marri, and several senior officials, underscoring official interest in continued cultural partnership.

With inputs from WAM