His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairperson of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), today launched the 13th Sharjah International Traditional Crafts Forum under the slogan “Carpets and Textiles”.  Held at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park, the forum is expected to attract participation from 17 Arab and international parties in the rich scientific, cultural, and artistic programme of events.

The opening ceremony featured performances by the Egyptian troupe in the presence of His Excellency AbdulkadarMemedi, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr Salem Ali Ahmed Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Municipal Council, Mr Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Khorfakkan, and Mr Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Kholoud Al Hajri, Director of Emirati Handcraft Center affiliated to SIH, General Coordinator of the Sharjah International Traditional Crafts Forum, in addition to representatives of the participating entities, researchers, academics, craftspeople, employees and those interested in heritage affairs and the textile and carpet industry.

The forum is strategically sponsored by the University City of Sharjah and is in partnership with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.

Preserving identity as the basis for the well-established cultural and civilisational system of people and society

At the launch event, His Excellency Dr Abdul Aziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said: The SIH aims to raise awareness of heritage in all its forms and preserve identity as the basis for the well-established cultural and civilizational system of societies and peoples.  The objectives of the Sharjah International Traditional Crafts Forum are consistent with the efforts of the Institute in celebrating the various industries and arts that have long been associated with man and his skills and were represented in the traditional crafts of our nations throughout history.

He explained that since its inception in 2007, the forum has witnessed multiple stages of development in its structure, objectives, and forward-looking vision.  In each session, a distinctive slogan was adopted in harmony with the fundamental developments of the traditional craft in the Emirates.

The Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage expressed his happiness and pride at the level of participation in this year’s session.  It included 17 participants from Arab and international countries, represented by the UAE and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, and Sudan, in addition to participation by Azerbaijan, Italy, Spain, Romania, San Marino and North Macedonia.

Distinctive local, Arab, and international experiences

For her part, Kholoud Al Hajri, Director of Emirati Handcraft Center affiliated to SIH, General Coordinator of the Sharjah International Traditional Crafts Forum, said: “This year’s audience will experience a new topic related to the craft heritage and focus of the textile and carpet industry.  They will enjoy an insight into how various textile products are made and developed with the splendor of their colours and aesthetics.” Distinguished local, Arab and international craftspeople will deliver an academic, cultural and artistic programme full of many activities throughout the two days.  Activities include seminars and lectures to discuss the world of textiles, carpets, and related industries and several workshops for training in these crafts.  In addition to the accompanying exhibition, a collection of books will be available to learn more about the industry’s history.

First day activities include “a cultural workshop on the textile and carpet industry”

The first session of the cultural programme was moderated by Dr MiniBounama, Director of the Content and Publishing Department at SIH, and dealt with the issue of the textile and carpet industry. Dr Abdul Aziz Al-Musallam spoke about traditional industries using carpets and textiles as models. The professor’s paper touched on the work of North Macedonian expert, Dr Masoud Idris, who manufactures Balkan textiles, such as traditional costumes from Albania and Bosnia, and the impact these products have on improving family life in the region. From Morocco, Mr Muhammad Abu Faris, Head of Library Operations at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, reviewed the subject of textiles and their impact on human heritage, citing the Lattenhausen Collection as a model. This session was concluded with a paper by Dr Abdulaziz Hamid Ali, Programme Specialist of the ISESCO Regional Office in Sharjah. He focused on the history of the textile and carpet process in the Islamic world. Finally, he discussed how the Islamic community absorbed the developments of this industry as it reached a milestone of becoming the centre of attention among Muslim artisans and the upper classes in society.

Art exhibitions and live performances

Forum art exhibitions included an exhibition of the Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Faisal Al-Rasheed who was inaugurated and included a showcase of “Origins.. Journey to Consciousness” by the Mexican textile and dyer Porfirio Gutierrez.

The attendees also enjoyed live performances and workshops presented by the Turkish Carpet Pavilion and the Iranian Carpet Pavilion, reflecting the special character of each country’s industry, as well as displaying the traditional costumes of the participating countries.

Interactive art workshops

In the Textile and Carpet Oasis, training and interactive workshops were held for children.  Workshops included The Scarlet Insect by Porfirio Gutierrez, Caduting on Papers by Ria Takao, and Basket of Wool presented by the Emirates Heritage Club.  The Emirati Crafts Centre also held workshops for textile hats and textile walls.   Workshops will continue to run over the two days of the forum.

The SIH’s International School of Story agenda also includes a series of purposeful workshops.  First day workshops included Let’s build a journey in the world of stories … the magic carpet, Al-Sadu weaving … art, creativity and innovation, implemented by the student Alia Al Muhairi at the College of Arts Beauty and Design at the University of Sharjah.  MsNaameh Obaid from the Sajaya young ladies of Sharjah also presented a workshop entitled Weaving… A heritage inherited by children from grandparents.