Sharjah24: Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, an affiliate of NAMA Women Advancement, is enriching the artisanal heritage of Sharjah and the UAE and strengthening efforts to re-contextualise and reimagine Emirati handcrafting traditions with a skills and cultural exchange programme that aims to nurture the skills of Emirati craftswomen in the unique embroidery techniques of Pakistan.

Rizwan Beyg, Pakistan’s foremost and multi-award-winning fashion designer, is enriching the skillsets of 20 women artisans at Irthi Skills Development Center in Kalba by guiding them in the intricate and richly evocative Ari and Needle embroidery traditions.

Building on the capacity of craft in transcending cultural and linguistic barriers and recognising its pivotal role in bridging gaps between cultures, Irthi’s new upskilling programme aims to elevate and sustain indigenous craft heritage. The cross-cultural endeavour that thrives on the values and connections forged through handmade craft also resonates with Beyg’s ongoing efforts in the preservation of cultural heritage through artisan empowerment. 

Under the new programme, women artisans at Bidwa will enhance their skills in around 30 dynamic embroidery techniques from across Pakistan and will receive 250 - 300 hours of expert-led training across 11 weeks. The Pakistani craftswomen, accompanying Beyg, will be introduced to traditional UAE crafts, namely: Safafah (palm frond weaving) and Talli (handwoven braids).

The skills exchange programme, which commenced recently will conclude on November 11, 2022