This announcement was made during a press conference held Wednesday morning at the headquarters of the Arab Heritage Center of the Institute. Present were Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage, along with Professor Aisha Al-Hussan Al-Shamsi, Director of the Secretary-General of the Arab Heritage Centre. Also in attendance were members of the Board of Trustees, and several employees of the Institute.
The launch ceremony featured an introductory video showcasing the award's objectives in preserving cultural heritage, the standards it adheres to, and its achievements since its establishment by Emiri Decree No. 19 of 2017 issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in appreciation of the outstanding efforts in the field of preserving elements of cultural heritage, and enriching fair competition between those interested and working in scientific and field research.
In his address, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Musallam emphasised the evolution of preserving cultural heritage from a societal necessity to an institutional responsibility over the past decades. He highlighted the shift towards solid administrative specialisation and systematic teamwork, citing successful applied and academic experiences. Dr. Al-Musallam underscored the objectives of the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage, aiming to recognise efforts in heritage preservation, promote fair competition among researchers, and foster an environment for sustainable cultural heritage. He emphasised the award's role in preserving human heritage and facilitating cultural exchange, aligning with the Sharjah Cultural Project's dialogue with the global community on cultural consciousness.
Al-Musallam expressed confidence in orchestrating a new, distinguished iteration of the award that achieves its goals, fulfills aspirations, and attracts more pioneers in cultural heritage preservation. He extended gratitude to the work teams, permanent and temporary committees, and government agencies in Sharjah for their support in organising the award, its promotion, and implementation of promotional campaigns. This includes acknowledgment of the Award’s General Secretariat, members of the arbitration committee, and the invaluable support provided by various governmental bodies in Sharjah, aligning with the award’s cultural objectives.
Three primary domains on local, Arab, and global scales
Aisha Al-Hussan Al-Shamsi, Director of the Arab Heritage Centre and Secretary-General of the Award, outlined the award's schedule. She mentioned that nominations will open soon, and participation files will be accepted through the Award's General Secretariat via email at
[email protected] or by mail to PO Box 2258, Sharjah.
She highlighted that the award centres on three key areas: recognising exemplary practices in cultural heritage preservation, honouring storytellers and heritage custodians as invaluable human assets, and acknowledging distinguished researchers in the cultural heritage domain. She noted that each area comprises three distinct categories, categorised based on the geographic scope of entries received locally, at Arab level, and internationally.
During her address, Al-Shamsi outlined essential practical and technical details regarding nomination procedures, application mechanisms, eligibility criteria, arbitration processes, and timelines associated with the award. She encouraged prospective participants to reach out for further information or assistance by contacting us at +97165014999.
The inaugural Arab award with a global focus in cultural heritage
The Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage is the pioneer Arab award with a global outlook in cultural heritage. It serves as a nurturing, supporting, and sponsoring platform for individuals, institutions, associations, and studies dedicated to heritage preservation across its three categories. The Cultural Heritage Personality of the Year, a significant addition to the award, aims to honor experts and researchers who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding and promoting heritage, recognizing their invaluable contributions and celebrating their impactful endeavors.
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