The Sharjah Islamic Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and organised by the Department of Culture for 40 days with the participation of artists from different countries of the world, concluded the 25th edition.
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Department of Culture, said that the festival reached an exceptional global appeal, thanks to the patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and His Highness’s vision of the importance of the arts as a cultural aspect.
Al Qaseer added that the 25th edition was reflecting this vision in celebrating Islamic arts, which Emirati, Arab and international artists work to devote in one place: Sharjah.
Al Qaseer stated that the 25th edition documents international participations that gathered, in one place, more than a creative spectrum with different visions, which contributed to the formation of a remarkable artistic scene that strengthened the festival’s global vision in highlighting this authentic Islamic art, reflected in artistic works that matched the essence and spirit of Islamic arts.
The Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs continued that from Sharjah to the cities of Khorfakkan and Kalba, over a period of 40 days, the festival saw the openings of art exhibitions, during which the public was able to interact with a series of works that mimic the idea of the festival’s slogan, “Manifestations.”
He indicated that the 25th edition received extensive local, Arab and international media coverage, which confirms the importance of this event, stressing that work for the next edition has begun.
The 25th edition included 132 events, including exhibitions, artistic workshops, and lectures, hosted by the Department of Culture in cooperation with 18 entities in Sharjah, including the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, the Union of Arab Photographers, Emirates Photography Society, Emirates Fine Arts Society, and other cultural institutions in Sharjah.
The activities included 47 exhibitions hosted by Sharjah Art Museum, the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Kalba Beach, Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy, and other exhibition places in Sharjah.
50 artists from 25 countries participated in the 25th edition, led by the UAE, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Jordan, as well as Spain, Poland, Turkey, Colombia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Argentina, Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and other countries.
The 25th edition presented 319 artistic works, including installations, calligraphy, murals, and paintings in authentic calligraphy and decoration, while 81 artistic workshops were organised, and a visual presentation of artistic experiences was also presented. The festival hosted more than 80 guests, including media figures, lecturers, calligraphers, and art supervisors.