emirates7 - The Sharjah Department of Culture (SDC) has announced its annual lineup of festivals and ongoing forums, set to begin in September 2024 and run through August 2025.
The ambitious plan includes over forty events and conferences, organized at local, regional, and international levels, aiming to further cement Sharjah’s reputation as a hub for diverse artistic, intellectual, and cultural endeavors.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the SDC, emphasized the significance of these cultural initiatives across the Arab world. He noted that this program, originating in Sharjah and extending throughout the Arab world and African nations, reflects the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The initiative underscores the role of culture as a vital element of societal development and highlights His Highness’ commitment to fostering a comprehensive cultural revival.
Al Owais also underscored Sharjah’s importance in hosting a wide variety of cultural events, establishing the emirate as a central platform for Arab intellectuals to present their creative works by actively participating in numerous activities.
The department will kick off its schedule with the Sharjah Narrative Forum on September 10th in Tunisia, marking a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 20th edition and establishes a new cultural center in the Arab world. The forum is expected to attract a diverse group of Tunisian and Arab intellectuals, offering a broad spectrum of perspectives. This will be followed by the 11th Khorfakkan Short Plays Festival.
In October, the 11th Sharjah Calligraphy Forum will commence, featuring artistic contributions from both local and international artists from the UAE and the Arab world. Following this, the 9th Mafraq Arab Poetry Festival will launch a series of poetry festivals across the Arab world, closely followed by the 6th Marrakesh Moroccan Poetry Festival.
November promises a vibrant calendar of events in Arab culture. The 9th Luxor Arab Poetry Festival will captivate audiences in Egypt, while the winners of the esteemed Sharjah "UNESCO" Prize for Arab Culture will be announced in Paris, France.
December will offer a rich lineup of events, beginning with the 15th Sharjah Prize for Artistic Criticism and the 8th Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival. Additionally, a series of events celebrating the Arabic language will take place, including World Arabic Language Day at the House of Poetry in Sharjah, the 9th Kairouan Arab Poetry Festival in Tunisia, and the 12th Sharjah Scout Theatre Festival, rounding off December’s activities.
January will bring the 21st Sharjah Arab Poetry Festival, the 20th Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum in Tunisia, and the 10th Khorfakkan Theatre Festival, marking an exciting start to the new year.
In February, a variety of cultural events will unfold, including the 19th Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival, Wadi Al Helo Popular Poetry Days, and the 10th Nouakchott Arab Poetry Festival, alongside the 34th Sharjah Theatrical Days, offering attendees a diverse array of artistic experiences.
March will begin with a grand celebration of poetry and its creators at the House of Poetry on World Poetry Day, followed by the 8th "Katateeb" Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition. In April, Egypt will host the 21st Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum, along with the House of Poetry's Prosody Art Workshop and the 28th Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity, First Edition.
May will feature several exciting events in Amman, Jordan, including the 6th Tetouan Moroccan Poetry Festival, exhibitions at the Sharjah Calligraphy Center, the 12th Sharjah School Theatre Festival, and the 22nd Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum. Additionally, the 8th Dibba Al-Hisn Dual Theatre Festival will take place during the month.
June will see the 23rd Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum in Mauritania, alongside the 4th African Arab Poetry Forum. In August, the African Poetry Meetings will continue in Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and South Sudan, along with the 12th Theatrical Performance Elements Course at the Khorfakkan Cultural Center.
Throughout the year, the SDC will host a series of poetry evenings and seminars at various literary councils, including the House of Poetry, Al-Hira Literary Council, Khorfakkan Literary Council, and Kalba Literary Council. The Sharjah Calligraphy Center will also hold artistic workshops, including the "Katateeb" program.
The department will continue publishing its cultural magazines, covering a wide array of local events and news from across Sharjah’s cities.
The ambitious plan includes over forty events and conferences, organized at local, regional, and international levels, aiming to further cement Sharjah’s reputation as a hub for diverse artistic, intellectual, and cultural endeavors.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the SDC, emphasized the significance of these cultural initiatives across the Arab world. He noted that this program, originating in Sharjah and extending throughout the Arab world and African nations, reflects the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The initiative underscores the role of culture as a vital element of societal development and highlights His Highness’ commitment to fostering a comprehensive cultural revival.
Al Owais also underscored Sharjah’s importance in hosting a wide variety of cultural events, establishing the emirate as a central platform for Arab intellectuals to present their creative works by actively participating in numerous activities.
The department will kick off its schedule with the Sharjah Narrative Forum on September 10th in Tunisia, marking a significant milestone as the event celebrates its 20th edition and establishes a new cultural center in the Arab world. The forum is expected to attract a diverse group of Tunisian and Arab intellectuals, offering a broad spectrum of perspectives. This will be followed by the 11th Khorfakkan Short Plays Festival.
In October, the 11th Sharjah Calligraphy Forum will commence, featuring artistic contributions from both local and international artists from the UAE and the Arab world. Following this, the 9th Mafraq Arab Poetry Festival will launch a series of poetry festivals across the Arab world, closely followed by the 6th Marrakesh Moroccan Poetry Festival.
November promises a vibrant calendar of events in Arab culture. The 9th Luxor Arab Poetry Festival will captivate audiences in Egypt, while the winners of the esteemed Sharjah "UNESCO" Prize for Arab Culture will be announced in Paris, France.
December will offer a rich lineup of events, beginning with the 15th Sharjah Prize for Artistic Criticism and the 8th Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival. Additionally, a series of events celebrating the Arabic language will take place, including World Arabic Language Day at the House of Poetry in Sharjah, the 9th Kairouan Arab Poetry Festival in Tunisia, and the 12th Sharjah Scout Theatre Festival, rounding off December’s activities.
January will bring the 21st Sharjah Arab Poetry Festival, the 20th Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum in Tunisia, and the 10th Khorfakkan Theatre Festival, marking an exciting start to the new year.
In February, a variety of cultural events will unfold, including the 19th Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival, Wadi Al Helo Popular Poetry Days, and the 10th Nouakchott Arab Poetry Festival, alongside the 34th Sharjah Theatrical Days, offering attendees a diverse array of artistic experiences.
March will begin with a grand celebration of poetry and its creators at the House of Poetry on World Poetry Day, followed by the 8th "Katateeb" Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition. In April, Egypt will host the 21st Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum, along with the House of Poetry's Prosody Art Workshop and the 28th Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity, First Edition.
May will feature several exciting events in Amman, Jordan, including the 6th Tetouan Moroccan Poetry Festival, exhibitions at the Sharjah Calligraphy Center, the 12th Sharjah School Theatre Festival, and the 22nd Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum. Additionally, the 8th Dibba Al-Hisn Dual Theatre Festival will take place during the month.
June will see the 23rd Sharjah Cultural Honor Forum in Mauritania, alongside the 4th African Arab Poetry Forum. In August, the African Poetry Meetings will continue in Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and South Sudan, along with the 12th Theatrical Performance Elements Course at the Khorfakkan Cultural Center.
Throughout the year, the SDC will host a series of poetry evenings and seminars at various literary councils, including the House of Poetry, Al-Hira Literary Council, Khorfakkan Literary Council, and Kalba Literary Council. The Sharjah Calligraphy Center will also hold artistic workshops, including the "Katateeb" program.
The department will continue publishing its cultural magazines, covering a wide array of local events and news from across Sharjah’s cities.