Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage, and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of Sharjah Heritage Days, revealed that 102,000 eager visitors had participated in the events and activities of the first week of this year’s Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) in heart of Sharjah and Central and Eastern Regions.

The event, which takes place in the heart of Sharjah at the Heritage area, received visitors from all corners of the Emirate of Sharjah, the UAE, as well as international visitors from across the globe.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam expresses his appreciation and recognition of those who made the event possible, and welcomes all guests and visitors, “We are very happy to receive such a large number of visitors to the heritage pavilions, to immerse themselves in Emirati, Arab, and international cultural and popular heritage. We have had tremendous success one week into this year’s edition of the event, and continue to anticipate growing success of this festival.

We have a renewed bouquet of events that provide an opportunity for attendees to enjoy the beautiful and inviting atmosphere of Sharjah at the event sites, and also to open up an intercultural dialogue between different heritages. Visitors of all ages can reflect on their own heritage, and appreciate the culture that was passed down generation to generation to define who they are today. We have created an avenue for all in great admiration and celebration of each country’s distinctive cultural values, and an outlet to honour past traditions of our ancestors. We hope to continue this legacy moving forward, to inspire visitors to look back into their pasts to pave way for a universal brighter future.”

Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam notes that Thursday was marked by the presence of large numbers of young visitors to the Heritage Square, who enjoyed the ‘Haq Al Laila’ or ‘Night of the Half of Sha’ban’ event, organised by SHD during the evening hours. The event included distribution of sweets and gifts to children, in order to establish, revive, and draw awareness to this traditional custom.

PROMOTION OF HERITAGE CRAFTS: Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, an affiliate of the UAE-based NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA), explored the UAE’s intrinsic relationship with the date palm and promoting innovations in heritage crafts at the recently concluded 15th edition of Art Dubai with a showcase of the findings of its advanced palm fibre research and a display of its palm textile prototype that are paving the way for the sustainable development of the textile and fashion industries.

Through its participation at the 2022 edition of Art Dubai from March 11th - 13th, Irthi turned the spotlight on how recent research in date palm fibre extractions funded by the entity is creating new sustainable choices for not only the crafts sector but also the fashion industry, and how such local, environment-friendly materials could pave the way for the creation of a circular economy centered on palm waste.

The advanced palm fibre research led by Irthi was initiated under the guidance and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of NAMA.

Another key exhibit marking Irthi’s participation at Art Dubai 2022 is a research-led publication, ‘Crafting Natural Dyes’, which is the outcome of a collaborative venture with the Alchemy of Dyeing and which documents natural and sustainable recipes for dyeing palm leaves. The publication includes recipes formulated from the year-long research process that engaged artisans and experts from the region to create recipes based on Irthi’s primary research. The recipes primarily focus on the dyes used to colour date palm fronds.

Commenting on Irthi’s recent participation at Art Dubai, Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, said, “The date palm is both a symbol of the UAE and an integral part of its cultural history. Exploring the use of sustainable materials made from the date palm opens new possibilities for creativity and innovation in the craft and textile sectors and could be the basis for the textiles of tomorrow.

“The prototype is also the first step towards a circular economy centred on palm waste while the publication connects emerging designers with organic materials and indigenous recipes, reinforcing Irthi’s role as advocates for sustainability in crafts processes and materials.”