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The occasion reflected a rich journey of cultural and intellectual endeavour in the field of heritage preservation, safeguarding popular memory and strengthening national identity, while renewing its determination to move forward with the implementation of its future plans, strategies and projects.
The celebration reaffirmed the role the Institute has played since its inception as a scientific and cultural institution dedicated to documenting Emirati heritage and passing it on to future generations through approaches that combine authenticity with modernity, grounded in a firmly rooted cultural vision that places heritage at the heart of building individuals and society.
In his address during the celebration held in the Institute’s atrium, His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), affirmed that the Institute’s 11-year journey has been founded on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which has made culture and heritage a fundamental pillar in building individuals and safeguarding identity.
He explained that the Institute has continued to fulfil its mission of preserving folk memory and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, while strengthening its presence locally and internationally through scientific programmes and knowledge initiatives that contribute to transmitting heritage to future generations in a contemporary spirit.
Dr Al Musallam added that the Institute began as a local institution, then became an Arab centre, before expanding to the global stage, eventually earning the trust of UNESCO, which accredited it as an international centre for capacity building in the Arab world. He noted that the Institute’s publications have reached 1,100 titles, underscoring its standing as a specialised academic reference in heritage studies, alongside its extensive partnerships with international universities and research centres.
He stated that the Institute’s participation in international forums, and its cultural and academic partnerships, have contributed to highlighting Emirati heritage on the global stage, in line with Sharjah’s cultural vision and its status as a leading centre for culture and heritage.
Dr Al Musallam stressed that celebrating the eleventh anniversary of the Institute’s establishment represents a moment to renew the pledge to continue giving and to move towards broader horizons that serve heritage and consolidate its place in societal awareness. He pointed to the Institute’s commitment to continuing its high-quality projects in the fields of research, documentation and capacity building.
For his part, His Excellency Abu Bakr Al Kindi, Director of the Institute, said that celebrating the eleventh year of the Institute’s establishment is a celebration of a deeply rooted cultural landmark built under the guidance and direct follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. He explained that the Institute has implemented dozens of projects and events, including Sharjah Heritage Days, the Sharjah International Narrator Forum, and World Heritage Weeks, in addition to more than 83 events inside and outside the country.
Al Kindi pointed to the restoration projects carried out by the Institute in Khorfakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn and the Heart of Sharjah, as well as heritage villages, museums, educational and academic projects, the International School of Storytelling, and traditional games programmes. He affirmed that these efforts reflect the authentic cultural identity of the Emirate of Sharjah.
Al Kindi explained that throughout its journey, the Institute has consolidated its presence locally, regionally and internationally through organising specialised heritage events, launching forums and scientific conferences, supporting research and publishing, alongside its training and community programmes, which have contributed to raising awareness of the importance of heritage and its role in building societies, and strengthening its presence on the Arab and global cultural scene.
The celebration included a tour of the accompanying exhibitions, which featured an exhibition of heritage projects, a live exhibition of elements of cultural heritage, and a display of the Institute’s scientific publications, which have gone beyond publishing to establish themselves as specialised references in heritage studies. The occasion also witnessed a variety of traditional artistic performances, including Al Ayala and Al Ghazi arts, as well as the screening of a visual film documenting the Institute’s most prominent milestones and achievements over the course of eleven years.
At the conclusion of the celebration, the Institute honoured a number of researchers and distinguished contributors in the field of heritage, in appreciation of their academic contributions and their role in serving cultural heritage and safeguarding national memory.
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