Sharjah 24: The UNESCO headquarters in Paris saw an honouring ceremony for the 19th UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, organised by Sharjah Department of Culture in cooperation with "UNESCO” France, whereas Qassim Mohammed Istanboli (Lebanon) and Hajer Bin Bobaker (France) where honoured.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Owais, Head of Sharjah Department of Culture, Mr. Ernesto Ottoni Ramirez, Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO, Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at Sharjah Department of Culture, His Excellency Ahmed Al Mulla, Deputy Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, and Ms. Aisha Al Kamali, cultural attachée at the UAE embassy, in addition to dignitaries, writers, intellectuals, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the United Nations.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Mr. Ernesto Ottoni Ramirez, expressed his happiness with this ceremony, saying in his speech that he is pleased to welcome the attendees to UNESCO at the 19th UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, where His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, announced this award in 1998 on the occasion of celebrating Sharjah as the cultural capital of the Arab world. Mr. Ramirez added that he is very grateful to the award, and UNESCO warmly welcomed this initiative believing that dialogue between cultures is one of the main ways to promote peace and understanding between cultures, and a powerful means to combat racism and discrimination.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Owais, said in his speech, during the honouring ceremony that editions of thte UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture will continue, and he is pleased that creators and thinkers ascend the honouring platform year after year, appreciating the role played by UNESCO in managing the award, and sponsoring many cultural programmes around the world.
Al Owais added that Sharjah continued its cultural journey, according to an approach sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah until Sharjah has become the centre of cultural activities, frequented by people of thought and creativity.
At the end of his speech, Al Owais stressed the keenness of the United Arab Emirates to participate and attend international cultural fora.
After the honoring ceremony, the Lebanese Peruvian Theatre Company presented a theatrical scene that expresses friendship and human feelings, followed by a concert.
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