New issue of Sharjah Cultural highlights global creativity

ditorial team contributions Managing Editor Nawaf Younes contributed an essay titled “Music… A Culture and Universal Language”, describing music as one of the most enduring human artistic expressions across and as a powerful —from Assyrian and Egyptian to Greek and Chinese—civilisationsinfluence on identity, personality, and culture. Music, he argues, continues to thrive today as a universal language understood by all.

Literature, history and cultural profiles Jabal, a leading Arab poet, as examined -This issue explores the life and poetry of Badawi alby Dr Akram Qanbas. Dr Mohamed Ahmed Anab delves into the legacy of Swiss orientalist Max van Berchem, who dedicated his life to the study of Islamic inscriptions and calligraphy. Amal Kamel writes about Zgharta, a Lebanese town surrounded by rivers and olive trees, while Shehab Al Kaabi reflects on the cultural heritage of Basra, Iraq’s vibrant cultural capital.

Focus on Arab literary voices In the Literature and Writers section, Abdul Alim Haris covers the Sharjah Cultural Honouring Forum, which celebrated a group of distinguished Mauritanian authors. Jawad Amer writes about Moroccan historian, poet, and critic Abdullah Kannoun and his literary contributions, while Nour Suleiman Ahmed analyses the novelistic style of Ibrahim Abdel Meguid and his talent for evoking place and character. I’tidal Othman discusses how Arab s Indian writer novels address the transformation of identity, and Adel El Batousi highlightone of the prominent voices in the —Bhanu Mushtaq’s win of the International Booker PrizeKannada language.

Contemporary voices and literary legacy Ahmed Fadl Shabloul profiles poet Aziz Andraos, influenced by the Mahjar school and noted for innovation in form and content. Nabil Suleiman recounts how libraries shaped his literary world over seventy years, introducing him to major Arab and international writers. Hassan M. Youssef interviews author Tayseer Khalaf, who links creativity with societal change.

Noura Ibrahim Hardan covers the poetic journey of Iraqi poet Mowafaq Mohammed Abu Khumra, while Sawsan Mohamed Kamel explores the intellectual and civilisational thought of Algerian thinker Malek Bennabi. Ghassan Kamel Wanos writes on the creative spaces and characters shaped by Haydar Haydar, with a focus on his blending of literary genres. Intissar Abbas sheds light on the poetry of Mohammed Lafi and his reflections on identity, homeland, and exile.

Global literary reflections Dr Qassem Koufji analyses the literary depth of Haruki Murakami’s writing, especially in its exploration of identity, isolation, and human nature. Dr Majd Haidar discusses Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard, inspired by the author’s autobiography. Ziad Al Rayes reflects on themes of sorrow and confession in Your Book in My Right Hand by Jordanian writer Yasser Qubailat. Youssef Ali covers a panel discussion hosted by the Arab Cultural Club in Sharjah on Aisha Sultan’s short story collection Cold Fear.

Finally, Nasreen Antonius revisits For Bread Alone by Moroccan writer Mohamed Choukri, who offered a raw testimony to a childhood shaped by deprivation, learning life’s harsh lessons on the streets before even learning to read.

Art, strings and brushstrokes In the Art, Strings and Brushstrokes section, Mohab Labib explores the experience of Syrian Bashir Obeid -abstract artist Mahmoud Hammad, a pioneer of the movement in Syria. AlHadi Sassi, who seeks to balance creativity with artistic -interviews visual artist Mohamed AlGizawy pays tribute to the renowned Samia Ayoub, a major figure in -commitment. Khalil Elthe history of Arab theatre, while Hisham Azkyd highlights the creative work of Moroccan Safadi, -s poet Bayane AlSaghir. Randa Halloum meet-Maskini Al-playwright and director Alwho writes for both adults and children, believing theatre has a profound impact on young Din Aita honours the legacy of Egyptian music legend Mohamed -minds. Ahmed Saad ElFawzi, celebrated for his innovation and versatility. Dr Lama Tayara reviews the film Thank You for Dreaming with Me, emphasising the director’s skill in bringing reality to life on screen. Osama Asal commemorates the 110th anniversary of the birth and 29th anniversary of the passing of Salah Abou Seif, one of Egypt’s cinema greats.

Under the spotlight: new books and readings The Under the Spotlight section presents a variety of new books and critical readings. These include The History and Culture of the Tajiks by Nawal Amer, Descriptive and Analytical Methodology by Amani Ibrahim Yassin, and Ancient Arabic Prose Texts from Anxious Agha. Thuraya Abdel Badi’ Al Arab reviews He Who Lacks Love... Gives -Literature by Abrar AlIt, a young adult novel by Rania Hussein Amin. Other works featured are The Arabs in s by Orientalist Painting by Iman Mohamed Ahmed and The Hidden Ones in My WordMaamari, with reviews from Souad Said Noah. Najlaa Mamoun contributes a -Suleiman Alstudy on the origins and evolution of the Moroccan short story.

Cultural essays and articles This issue also includes a rich collection of articles and essays covering a broad range of cultural topics. Among these are discussions on poetic ambition by Raad Aman, reflections on the city of Esna’s wisdom and history by Saeed Yassin, and the digital revolution’s impact on artistic creativity by Mudhafar Ismail. Fadia Issa Qaraajeh examines Waciny Laredj’s

Za’al explores -novelistic approach as close to documentary style, while Shimaza Fawaz Alk Saqour writes on the narrative the relationship between algorithms and literary work. MaliTayyib -forest, Mustafa Abdullah reviews the turbulent life of poet Hanoun Majid, and AlAdeeb considers the importance of children’s libraries. Nabil Ahmed Safiya investigates the influence of culture and criticism on Arab fiction, and Paul Chaoul critiques artificial intelligence as a failed poet. Abdulrazzaq Shahroor delves into classical chaste love poetry, Suhaimi’s love for place and memory. Abdelhakim -and Mufid Khansa reflects on Mohsen AlArnaout -Zubaidi profiles scholar and critic Ahmad Youssef Ali, while Mohamed Al-AlHaisha shares -examines Arabic literature in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mahmoud Salama Alstories about human emotions, and Dr Hani Mohamed celebrates the cultural contributions Maghribi analyses the shaded rooftops between Barak and -Alayli. Najwa Al-of Abdullah AlPicasso, while Mohamed Najib Qaddoura recalls the creative memories of Adeeb Qaddoura. Mohamed Hammouda reveals the theatrical side of Naguib Mahfouz, and Magdy Mahfouz highlights the realisation of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy dream. Prince Kamal Faraj discusses voice performance as an art form, Ali Dawla reviews children’s films and Safi’s novel Jameel Nadound as a -programmes, and Dr Mustafa Ghunaim praises Anne Alsymphony of hope. Finally, Nadia Omar takes readers on an exciting journey through Arabic literary history, and Rose Makhlouf explores the subtle harmony of silk.

Short stories, poetry and heritage The issue also dedicates space to a selection of short stories, poetry, translations, and heritage pieces by prominent Arab writers. Featured works include The Artist’s Room by Batros’s exploration of commodifying art amid -Suad Zaher, a writer and critic, and Dr Atef AlSayed Abdel Aal, -the pressures of reality. Short stories such as New Events by Mohamed ElDaem, and One Day It Happened by Abdelhamid -An Innocent Trick by Asmaa Nour Alof Light, by Rawi are included, alongside a translated poem, The Long Ray -Mohamed AlAsma’i by Abdulrazzaq Ismail, -Hamada Abdel Latif. The heritage series features Stories of AlSha’ar’s Literary Notes explore the -A’raj. Fawaz Al-Jishi reflects on poet Al-while Wael Albeauty of language and linguistics, and Waleed Ramadan sheds light on the life and work of French orientalist Charles Pellat, who was devoted to the Arabic language.