[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Sharjah Heritage Days graced by 31 countries" ids="143429,143435,143433,143431,143432,143434,143430"]
By Rawan Abudawood
Saudi Gazette
SHARJAH — Thousands of people visiting Sharjah Heritage Days were treated to over 31 countries presenting their unique folklore and cultural traditions during the 19-day event that ended recently.
In Sharjah Heritage Area, located in the heart of Sharjah where the event is being held, many countries celebrated and presented their heritage during the 15th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days held under the theme of “Heritage - Monuments and Meanings” and sponsored by Sharjah Institute for Heritage. Participating countries include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, China, Australia, Italy, Georgia, France, Russia and many more.
The event targeted people of all ages starting with young children up to the elderly by providing various activities suitable for visitors of all ages. The event organized 240 activities to attract children including a puppet show where live puppet performances portrayed Emirati heritage and culture. There was also the children’s village where coloring workshops, reading sessions and other entertaining activities were held throughout the event.
Split into sections, each section presented its own idea and story. This also included different Emirati environments that had their unique section in which the UAE’s coastal, desert, mountainous and agricultural environments were shown.
A section dedicated to the guest of honor, the Republic of Malta, showed a variety of paintings and activities that portray Maltese heritage and culture.
The event primarily focused on the cultural knowledge aspect and lectures were given every day at the Cultural Café by experts who mainly discussed the history, culture and heritage of the United Arab Emirates. Sharjah Institute for Heritage which created the Cultural Café also supports writers who are interested in publishing their books that are related to cultural heritage. Some of the other published works by Sharjah Institute for Heritage is the newly published magazine called Marawed, a monthly magazine concerned with cultural heritage.
Another section at the event displayed the various projects carried out in order to preserve and rebuild historical buildings in Sharjah. Visitors were shown the buildings before and after they were restored.
