Irthi celebrates 10 impactful years of empowering artisans

The council marks this milestone with a series of events and initiatives throughout the year, reaffirming its commitment to empowering women artisans, as well as reviving traditional handcrafts and introducing them to the world through a contemporary vision that preserves their cultural essence while enhancing their economic presence.

A decade of empowerment and growth

Since its inception in 2015, Irthi has embodied the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi to build a sustainable creative economy led by women, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for empowering artisans. Originating in Sharjah, the council has expanded its efforts to 13 countries worldwide, and 840 artisans, reflecting rapid growth in training programmes, production, skills transfer, and cultural exchange.

Under Her Highness’s leadership, the council has successfully integrated traditional skills within contemporary design and has launched various collections inspired by Emirati heritage, such as, ‘Al Taif,’ ‘Moui,’ ‘Tilad,’ ‘Nadd,’ ‘Sofra,’ among others. This transformation has elevated crafts from everyday utility to artistic symbols rich in cultural significance and national identity.

A global model for heritage revival and renewal

Reem BinKaram, Director General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, stressed that supporting traditional crafts is key to the UAE’s cultural project. She noted that Sharjah has transformed the sector into an economic and social pillar reflecting community identity, enabling individuals, especially women, to contribute to development.

BinKaram stated Irthi's decade-long journey has championed a global renewal of heritage, strengthening Emirati crafts internationally while establishing local appreciation of artisanal creativity as a national resource. This enhances identity, serves the community, and opens prospects for Emirati women and the creative sector.

The Irthi Director General congratulated Emirati artisans for their indispensable role in reinforcing national identity, emphasising their efforts to preserve heritage for future generations. “Since Irthi’s establishment ten years ago, under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, our priority has been to reposition crafts as a genuine opportunity for empowerment, particularly for women, and to restore artisans to their rightful place as creative women who contribute to development. We believe that what women artisans offer is not only of material value but also plays an important role in reshaping the community’s relationship with its heritage,” she added.

Marking its tenth anniversary, Irthi has planned over 7 local and international events, including those in Sharjah, London, Basel, and Moscow, as well as more than 5 new strategic partnerships. Activities at these events will include workshops, exhibitions, and expert panel discussions, and the council is also set to debut new collections merging heritage aesthetics with contemporary innovation.

Innovation and global recognition

Guided by Her Highness’s vision for crafts as cultural dialogue, Irthi strengthened its global presence through various notable partnerships including the likes of Bulgari, Cartier, Design Miami, and Asprey. These collaborations showcased Emirati crafts at prestigious events worldwide, including those in Paris, London, Dubai, Moscow, Shanghai, Milan, and São Paulo.

Irthi also played a major role in Sharjah's 2019 designation as a UNESCO Creative City in Crafts and Folk Arts, recognising it as the home of the authentic 'Talli' craft and a global centre for contemporary craft innovation.

Knowledge transfer and heritage documentation

Irthi preserves craft heritage through documentation and contemporary presentation, producing research papers and publications such as ‘Palm Fibre,’ ‘Crafting Natural Dyes,’ ‘Perfume,’ ‘Recipes for the Future’, and ‘Architecture of Culture.’ In 2024 alone, the council organised over 60 workshops that saw nearly 1,400 participants.

Community programmes, including embroidery workshops have implemented Emirati, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Pakistani techniques and designs, alongside local crafts like ‘Safeefa’ and ‘Faroukha,’ creating spaces for skill exchange and integration between the UAE, Middle East, and Asia. These initiatives also promote associated cultural values and narratives to broader audiences.

A continued vision and sustainable impact

The ten-year milestone of Irthi’s establishment marks the launch of a new phase of empowerment and innovation, as the council continues its efforts to support artisans locally and globally, promote sustainability in the crafts sector, and explore new avenues for skills and market development.

With every new initiative and collection, Irthi reaffirms its commitment to revitalising traditional crafts within contemporary life, expanding their cultural and socioeconomic impact, ensuring that Emirati craft heritage remains alive, serving as a beacon of inspiration for future generations to embrace creativity, pride and cultural identity.