Abu dhabi: Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture and Director of the Islamic Arts Festival, has unveiled the details of the 26th edition of the Islamic Arts Festival. This grand event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, will begin on Wednesday at the Sharjah Art Museum. Over a span of 70 days, the festival is set to feature 114 events and display 473 artworks by 170 artists hailing from 24 different countries.
According to Emirates News Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference held at the Department of Culture's conference hall on Monday. The event was attended by participating artists, organizing committee members, and representatives from local, Arab, and international media outlets. Al Qaseer emphasized that the festival represents a cultural and artistic event that aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. It aims to use art as a civilizational message that reflects humanity's essence and fosters cultural communication among global communities.
Al Qaseer highlighted the festival's long-standing reputation since its inception in the late 1990s as a distinguished artistic event. It has played a significant role in restoring Islamic arts to their prominent position alongside other fine arts. The festival's 26th edition aims to continue realizing the Ruler of Sharjah's vision of building a global artistic project. The festival serves as an artistic platform that emphasizes the importance of showcasing Islamic arts through diverse participation from Emirati, Arab, and international artists.
The festival, organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture, will embrace the theme "Siraj." This theme invites over 150 artists, researchers, specialists, and international artists to present works that reflect its broad and multifaceted meaning. The festival will feature 52 exhibitions and 114 events, including workshops and lectures, in collaboration with 26 entities in Sharjah.
Al Qaseer noted that the UAE leads the Arab countries in extensive participation this year. The festival will feature 170 artists from 24 Arab and international countries, presenting 473 artworks, including installations, calligraphy, murals, and paintings. It will also host 52 art workshops and eight lectures on Arabic calligraphy. The festival expects to welcome over 316 guests, including media representatives, lecturers, calligraphers, and workshop supervisors.