Latest news with #SharjahInternationalAwardforCulturalHeritage
Sharjah 24
15-07-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Abdulaziz Al Musallam documents Sharjah's efforts to preserve Arab heritage
The symposium was attended by a select group of intellectuals, academics, and heritage enthusiasts from various Arab countries. Egyptian Welcome and Awareness Message At the beginning of the symposium, Dr Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, welcomed His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, emphasising that this event falls within the Library's vision of promoting cultural awareness and spreading an awareness message to younger generations about the importance of preserving Arab heritage as a cultural value and civilisational identity. Dr Ahmed Zayed pointed out that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has launched a series of documentaries over the past two years addressing topics related to Arab cultural heritage. This initiative has been widely received and well-received by young people. He emphasised that the library places great importance on preserving heritage and is working to consolidate its role in shaping cultural identity. Sharjah's Pioneering Experience In his speech, Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam highlighted the Emirate of Sharjah's pioneering experience in preserving cultural heritage, from its early beginnings in the 1970s to the establishment of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage in 2014, the first scientific institution specialising in the preservation and documentation of Emirati and Arab cultural heritage. Heritage Preservation Projects Al Musallam reviewed the main themes of the experience, beginning with the early individual and institutional efforts, through the establishment of the Heritage Department and the documentation of oral narratives , and ending with the major projects undertaken by the institute, such as the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage, the Encyclopedia of Emirati Crafts and Professions, and the Thesaurus of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Arab World. Al Musallam praised the effective role played by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in digitising these efforts within an integrated scientific framework. Artificial Intelligence Al Musallam also revealed SIH intention to use artificial intelligence technologies to document heritage elements, in addition to enhancing international cooperation through the institute's "Centre for International Cultural Heritage Organisations," which provides a platform for exchanging expertise and knowledge between cultural institutions at the regional and international levels. Heritage: Our Identity and Our Future During the symposium, Al Musallam emphasised that "intangible cultural heritage is not merely a past we preserve, but a future we shape through a deep understanding of our identity. This is what we strive for in the Emirate of Sharjah, through fieldwork, research, academic publishing, and regional and international cooperation." The symposium concluded with the presentation of a number of Sharjah Institute for Heritage publications to the attendees, affirming the institute's mission to "preserve heritage and preserve identity," and the continued joint efforts between Sharjah and Alexandria in serving Arab culture.
Sharjah 24
22-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SIACH honours the fifth edition's winners
Film retrospective and opening address The event opened with a warm welcome to attendees, followed by a short film highlighting the award's journey since its inception. Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and chair of the award's board of trustees, delivered the keynote address, emphasising that the award embodies the Ruler of Sharjah's vision for supporting cultural heritage and honouring its custodians. He noted that Sharjah has become a global model in safeguarding and promoting heritage. Dr Al Musallam stated that Sharjah launched this award as an international platform to acknowledge excellence in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Today, we celebrate scholars, researchers, and storytellers who have left a clear mark in protecting our shared human legacy by underscoring Sharjah's leadership as a bridge for cultural dialogue worldwide. Director's tribute to heritage champions Ms. Aisha Rashid Al-Husan Al-Shamsi, Director of the Award, affirmed that this fifth edition continues the award's successful legacy, which is now firmly established among specialised cultural awards. She explained that the award realises the vision of the Ruler of Sharjah in protecting heritage and celebrating its guardians. This year, it also introduces 'Heritage Personality of the Year' to honour those who have devoted their lives to its preservation. She praised the combined efforts of the organising teams, juries, and supporting entities, which made this event a triumph. Presentation of Awards Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, accompanied by Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam and Ms Aisha Al Husan, invited the winners to the stage to commence the awards presentation for this edition of the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage. Heritage Personality of the Year Dr Najeeb Abdullah Al Shamsi from the UAE was named Heritage Personality of the Year in recognition of his decades of research and community work in preserving Emirati heritage and preventing its erosion. Winners across the three categories The fifth edition saw distinguished entries from around the globe, distributed across three main domains—local, Arab and international—and nine categories. In the category of Best Conservation Practices, the local award went to the Sharjah Quran Academy for its submission 'The Role of the Academy in Preserving Arabic Manuscript Heritage'. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts in Saudi Arabia won the Arab award for its study of traditional wooden door craft in Najd. The international award was claimed by the Malaibar Foundation for Research and Development for its 'Malabar Digitisation Initiative'. In the Narrators and Heritage Bearers category, the local storyteller award went to Muhina Ali Obaid Al Sureidi, the Arab Narrator Award was presented to Salman bin Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Hamad of Saudi Arabia, and the international storyteller award was won by Elizabeth Weir of Ireland. In the Research and Studies in Cultural Heritage category, Dr Aisha Ali Ahmed Al Ghaith Al Zaabi received the local research award for her study, 'Traditional Performing Arts and Folk Songs in the UAE.' The Arab research accolade was given to Saeed bin Abdullah bin Mubarak Al Farsi of Oman for his research on constancy and change in Omani fishing traditions, with a case study on North Al Batinah Governorate. The international research award was given to Jean Lambert of France for his study of the qanbūs, a short-necked lute originating in Yemen. The award also honoured several supporting organisations and he expert jury members. About the Award Established by Emiri Decree No. 19 of 2017, the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage is the first Arab award of its kind with a global scope in preserving intangible heritage. The award aims to spotlight outstanding conservation practices, celebrate storytellers, and encourage research that sustains cultural heritage. Academic, cultural, and media institutions worldwide participate in a distinguished ceremony annually to present the award.
Sharjah 24
21-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Cultural Heritage Award honours narrators and researchers
Under the Patronage of Sharjah's Ruler Under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, honoured the winners of the 5th edition of the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage. The event was organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and took place at the Centre for International Cultural Heritage Organisations. A Message of Cultural Commitment His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, emphasised that the award reflects Sharjah's cultural message of safeguarding and preserving heritage, in line with the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Celebrating Excellence in Heritage Fields In a statement to "Sharjah 24," Al Musallam noted that the award celebrates researchers dedicated to heritage preservation and honours narrators in three main categories: Best Research and Studies in Cultural Heritage, Best Narrators and Heritage Bearers, and Best Practices in the Preservation of Heritage Elements.
Sharjah 24
02-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SIH participates with more than 1,000 titles at ADIBF 2025
Quality publications The fair showcases a distinguished collection of more than 1,000 titles covering various fields of cultural heritage, including scholarly series, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, and specialised magazines. It also features quality publications from SIH most prominent departments and centres, such as the Academic Department, the Arab Heritage Centre, the Centre for International Cultural Heritage Organisations, and the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage. Ensuring presence of Arab cultural heritage This distinguished participation is part of the Institute's strategy to enhance the presence of Arab cultural heritage in the intellectual and knowledge landscape and to highlight Sharjah's efforts in preserving and documenting it. His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, President of SIH said that the institute participation in ADIBF this year comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts to convey the message of heritage to a wider audience of readers, researchers, and interested parties, through solid knowledge production that reflects the richness of the local and Arab cultural heritage. A qualitative addition Al Musallam added that SIH is keen to ensure that the Institute's publications possess scientific value that keeps pace with the aspirations of the cultural movement in the UAE and the region, and we hope that this participation will constitute a qualitative addition that enhances the presence of heritage in intellectual platforms and international exhibitions. Through its participation in major cultural events, SIH continues to highlight the importance of heritage as a fundamental tributary to national identity and an open space for intercultural dialogue. Raising community awareness This is in line with Sharjah's cultural vision and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to make books and knowledge beacons for raising community awareness.
