The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) announced that the 20th Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) would take place from 1st to 21st March under the slogan “Heritage and Creativity”. The event will be held in 12 cities of the Emirate of Sharjah, with the participation of 42 Arab and foreign countries and 40 government agencies.

The announcement came during a press conference held on Monday morning at the Sharjah Classic Car Museum. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Dr Abdul Aziz AlMusallam, Chairperson of SIH, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee for SHD, with the participation of Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, and His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Abu Bakr Al Kindi, General Coordinator of SHD, and a group of dignitaries, officials, and media representatives.

Showcasing the vibrancy of Emirati folklore

Regarding the new session, His Excellency Dr Abdul Aziz Al Musallam stressed that Sharjah is decorated yearly with Heritage Day celebrations throughout the emirate. The historical and heritage monuments from the heart of Sharjah honour the beautiful past. At the same time, the central and eastern regions celebrate the diversity and richness of the heritage with the support and encouragement of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Through its successive sessions, Sharjah Heritage Days have contributed to highlighting the aesthetic values of the vocabulary and elements of Emirati heritage. They have consolidated Emirati values, traditions and customs, thus reflecting the civilizational, cultural and pioneering role of Sharjah in highlighting a vibrant image of Emirati folklore, in all its forms and aesthetic values.”

Rich international participation

The General Coordinator of the 20th Sharjah Heritage Days, Abu Bakr Al Kindi, explained that the new session would host 42 Arab and foreign countries, in addition to the participation of the UAE. He said that Hungary was appointed Guest of Honour this year. At the same time, Austria has been highlighted as a distinguished guest in appreciation of the vast cultural heritage resources that both countries have accumulated throughout history and in appreciation of their diverse efforts in preserving heritage, national identity, and historical and archaeological cultural monuments.

He explained that the list of Arab countries participating in SHD activities includes Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, and Morocco. Other participating countries include Pakistan, Indonesia, Korea, India, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Albania, Italy, Romania, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Brazil.

Remarkable presence from government agencies and local institutions

The days are attended by 40 government agencies and local institutions across the UAE.

The public can watch many dances, performances, popular singing, and arts throughout the festival. Locally, the creations of the arts will be held, showcasing the UAE and 7 Arab communities residing in the UAE, from Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Syria, India, Lebanon, and Palestine. Internationally, 15 folk bands from Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Russia, Albania, Italy, Yemen, Romania, Croatia, Greece, Indonesia, Korea, Georgia, India and Brazil are also participating.

International organizations register their presence

SHD also hosts a group of Arab, Islamic and international organisations and institutes, the most important of which are UNESCO, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), the International Organisation of Folk Art, the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICROM), and the National Museum of Antiquities and Heritage in Morocco, Centre for Chinese Cultural Heritage, the Olympias Folk Games Organization in Italy, in addition to several other organisations, universities and cultural centres from different countries.

Local environments mimic the past

SHD maintains the sustainability of displaying the Emirates’ four environments: mountainous, agricultural, desert, and marine. Heritage area- Heart of Sharjah will also witness the establishment of the sixth Golf Championship for the game (Al-Dama). At the same time, the audience will enjoy a competitive atmosphere in the World Games Championship (Olympias), organised by the Institute in cooperation with the Olympias Organization for Folk Games in Italy.

The agenda includes the organisation of six major exhibitions, with the participation of seven local publishing houses in the “Al-Kotubeen” Market Exhibition for Old and Used Books. Organised for the second session in a row,  it will include 20 new titles from the Institute in addition to other heritage books, brochures, exhibitions, cultural programmes, and more.

Programmes and Events

Similar to its previous sessions, SHD is unique in its distinctive programmes and activities.  It includes cultural programmes offered by the Cultural Café, academic programmes in addition to various intellectual lectures, workshops on Emirati crafts and education, entertainment competitions, and games.  The Children’s Village hosts activities for kids at 5 Daily workshops, the Al-Hakawatiprogramme presented by the International Story School, and the Children’s Theatre.

Arab Heritage Agenda

The agenda of the SIH’s Arab Heritage Centre pavilion includes 18 cultural programmes with participation by 31 countries. Twenty-three participants will present various workshops and presentations.

A rich cultural dose

The Cultural Café will present 18 lectures and cultural sessions, while the Emirati Crafts Centre, will contribute to the enrichment of the SHD programme by offering 16 traditional crafts and professions, 21 craft workshops, and traditional puzzles on social media platforms.

New SHD

The (Bakers’ Quarter) is one of the beautiful heritage additions to this session’s activities. It is an innovative experience that includes a group of bakeries specialised in cooking and selling fresh baked goods from all over the world. (SHD Kitchen) will also provide an interactive live cooking programme where the audience can participate and engage with chefs during live cooking demonstrations.

A busy programme

In addition to the activities in Heritage area and Culture Heritage Events in the heart of Sharjah, from 1 to March 21, other cities will operate according to their own schedules.

• From 3^rd to 11^thMarch, Madam in the Heritage Village.
• From 10^thto 13^th March, Wadi Al-Hilu activities in the Heritage Village.
• From 15^thto 18^thMarch, Kalba activities in the Al-Hosn Heritage neighbourhood.
• From 4^thto 11^thMarch, with the participation of 10 government agencies, shops for productive families, the Children’s Village and the Cultural Café.
• From 5^th to 12^th March, Khorfakkan activities in the heritage area in the western neighbourhood and in Al-Sidra neighbourhood in AlLuluyah, which include various heritage sessions, personal museums, display of traditional crafts, games, children’s theatre, and photo exhibition.

From 11^th to 18^thMarch, Dibba Al-Hisn activities in the heritage village with the participation of 14 government agencies, in addition to the activities of the areas of Al-Bataeh, Maliha, Shees and Al-Nahwa.