SIH inaugurates Omani Heritage Week

Sharjah24: His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), inaugurated the Omani Heritage Week at the Cultural Heritage Events Centre “Al Bait Al Gharbi” in the Heart of Sharjah yesterday, Thursday, in the presence of Khamis bin Salem Al Suwaidi, Advisor at the Office of the Sharjah Ruler, HE Dr Rashid Khamis Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Khorfakkan Municipal Council, and the media coordinator Abdullah Al Dhehli from the Omani side, in addition to a high-level attendance of representatives from the Sultanate of Oman, enthusiasts of Omani heritage, and members of the media. This is part of the SIH's monthly agenda related to the World Heritage Weeks Programme in Sharjah, organized to showcase diverse examples of global heritage, its elements, and components.

The "Heart of Sharjah" will be celebrating with artistic performances, dances, music, folk songs, traditional crafts, in addition to showcasing a range of traditional foods, activities, products, and heritage exhibitions. The event will welcome visitors for 5 days in the evening from 5 to 10 pm, and its activities will continue until the 27th of November.

His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), stated, "Through our organization of the World Heritage Weeks, we emphasize the commonalities in the human heritage of all peoples, nations, and civilizations, and the exchange of knowledge, information, experience, and the importance of preserving and transmitting heritage to future generations, enriching cultural communication between peoples, reviving heritage areas in Sharjah, and developing heritage and cultural concepts, introducing the cultures of the world's peoples, and defining global cultural heritage and its openness to international experiences in this field."

He further added that Omani heritage is an important source for passing on the history of ancestors to the current generation and introducing them to the rootedness, authenticity, diversity, and close connection to Omani values, as well as their attachment to the elements of the place with all its events and changes. Additionally, their role is filled with diligence and perseverance to meet their needs and develop their lives through industries, crafts, and expressing their joy through distinctive popular and traditional arts, all of which deserve our appreciation and celebration through these delightful heritage weeks.

Comprehensive Tour of the Omani Exhibition and Display of Traditional Crafts

Aisha Ghabsh, General Coordinator for World Heritage Weeks, explained that the audience, visitors, and heritage enthusiasts are in for a treat during the Omani Heritage Week, with the opportunity to attend numerous programs, activities, and diverse Omani heritage programs as it intersects with our local heritage and Gulf heritage in general. Each has its own unique and distinctive characteristics, making it unique and attractive. During the opening events, we enjoyed a tour of the Omani exhibition inside Al Bait Al Gharbi, and visitors also had the opportunity to learn about some Omani traditional crafts, such as weaving, pottery, silverware, incense burners, as well as the craft of producing Omani incense and perfumes, the profession of refining Omani frankincense and its derivatives, traditional medicine, Omani children's clothing, traditional Omani tailoring, gypsum and wooden sculptures, in addition to presenting Omani folklore performances, there will be Omani hospitality, traditional coffee preparation, Omani cuisine, traditional sweets, and more.