Sharjah Heritage Days Celebrates 21st Edition With Cultural Richness And International Flair

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) recently wrapped up the 21st edition of the Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD), a vibrant 11-day cultural extravaganza that ran from 22nd February to 3rd March. This year's theme, "Connection," resonated through a series of activities, traditional dialogues, and cultural events spread across six cities within the emirate: Sharjah, Al Hamriyah, Dibba Al Hisn, Khorfakkan, Kalba, and Al Dhaid. Highlighting the global appeal of the festival, Jeju Province from South Korea was honored as the guest of honour, marking a significant international collaboration.

Under the meticulous supervision of approximately 130 researchers, specialists, and supervisors, the festival boasted an impressive lineup of 362 events. These included 38 cultural stories, 25 dialogue sessions, and 107 open competitive contests. Additionally, attendees were treated to 272 artistic performances by 36 art groups, alongside nine exhibitions and about 21 specialised publications. The event also saw five new signings and launches, all achieved within 616,000 working hours. The festival attracted a remarkable turnout with 111,365 visitors and more than 700 guests and participating delegations.

Ahmed Salim Al Bairaq, Chairman of the Media Committee for SHD and Director of Corporate Communications at SIH, along with Abu Bakr Al Kindi, the General Coordinator of SHD, extended their gratitude towards the sponsoring entities and all committees and distinguished employees whose efforts were pivotal to the event's success.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of SIH and Head of the Supreme Committee for SHD, expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of this year's edition. He highlighted how the event significantly bolstered the status of Emirati heritage on both regional and global stages. This achievement was attributed to the unwavering support of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. His vision underscored the importance of heritage in shaping a promising future.

Abu Bakr Al Kindi reflected on the meticulous organization required to align heritage events with Sharjah's esteemed cultural stature in art and heritage. He acknowledged the concerted efforts that led to this year's success and voiced an optimistic outlook towards future editions.

The festival saw participation from 600 exhibitors representing 12 countries and more than 30 governmental and supporting entities. The volunteer turnout was notable as well, with approximately 202 individuals contributing around 10,517 hours of work. Additionally, SHD's presence on social media platforms garnered over 17,000 views from local, regional, and international followers interested in heritage arts.

In a tradition celebrating annual achievements, a group of researchers and specialists gathered on the closing day at the cultural café for a book signing ceremony. This book delves into SHD's activities, events, segments, and its artistic and cultural dimensions. The contributors expressed their hopes for this publication to become a key reference in cultural heritage in the future.

With inputs from WAM