Sharjah 24: In order to enhance the relations that bind it between the various actors in the heritage and cultural work worldwide, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) recently received a high-level delegation from the Republic of Guatemala, located in Central America, to discuss its hosting in the World Heritage Weeks Programme, organised by SIH during the period from 15 to 19 November.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), received Her Excellency Atsum Moscoso, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala, and His Excellency Lars Pera Pérez, Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the United Arab Emirates.

SIH, through the World Heritage Weeks programme, celebrates the heritage of a friend of the UAE, by displaying examples of its cultural heritage. 

This week-long celebration takes place at the Cultural Heritage Centre in the Heart of Sharjah, and includes activities such as presentations of traditional crafts, folk arts, traditional cooking, folk games, and exhibitions of pictures or drawings, in addition to documentaries on the heritage of the guest country.

The meeting shed light on many important aspects of the week-long event, which is an opportunity to highlight the common heritage and cultural aspects between the two friendly countries, and to honour the rich and diverse heritage of the Republic of Guatemala. 

Her Excellency Atsum Moscoso officially invited the SIH to visit her country to experience all that Guatemala has to offer to its guests.

Her Excellency Atsum Moscoso stressed the pleasure to embark on this long and fruitful journey of the friendship that binds the country with the UAE, which is an excellent opportunity to enhance cultural exchange between our two countries, highlighting that UAE and Guatemala share many cultural elements in heritage, with the hope to strengthen relations in the future.

Her Excellency Atsum Moscoso spoke about the rich history of her country, which is 3,000 years old, and highlighted the great diversity in the languages of the country's population, which number up to 21 languages, and pointed to the similarities between Guatemala and the UAE, citing the different Arabic dialects that she has observed during her stay in the country so far. 

On his part, His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam stated that SIH is honoured to be invited to visit the Republic of Guatemala, which has a rich heritage at the heart of Latin American heritage. The SIH is constantly seeking to strengthen its relationship with Central and South American countries, starting with a tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil last year, SIH will visit Guadalajara in Mexico next year. This year SIH is excited to visit Guatemala.

His Excellency Al Musallam added that Guatemala is distinguished by its open and friendly people, and SIH is excited to host and celebrate the heritage of this beautiful country in Sharjah, and to introduce the people of the UAE to the products, crafts, arts, customs and traditions that make up Guatemala’s heritage, especially coffee and cardamom, which are its main exports, along with many other ingredients that it combines with the original heritage of the UAE.

Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, with a population of 17.2 million. The name "Guatemala" in the Mayan language means "land of many trees". The country is famous for its wonderful landscapes, with highlands surrounded by mountains, many active volcanoes, and beautiful blue seas, and the country is proud of its biodiversity, as well as Lake Atitlan, known as “the most beautiful lake in the world”, with its deep blue colour and clear waters.