The Institute’s participation took place within Sharjah’s pavilion at the fair (28–31 May) in the Polish capital, Warsaw, under the theme “Two civilisations… one language of letters”. The participation reflected the UAE’s cultural presence and reinforced the status of national heritage on the international stage. The programme brought together 21 cultural, academic and media institutions, alongside 36 Emirati writers, artists and academics, and featured more than 1,200 cultural and professional events.

Emirati heritage at the heart of the cultural scene

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage presented a range of specialised publications on cultural heritage, alongside initiatives aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. It also highlighted its efforts in documenting popular heritage and passing it on to new generations using modern methods that combine authenticity with contemporary approaches.

The Institute also offered a living Emirati experience through traditional hospitality, crafts and performing arts, allowing visitors to explore key elements of Emirati cultural identity and learn about inherited knowledge and skills that have shaped the community’s identity across generations.

Crafts and arts expressing identity

The participation also featured a strong presence of Emirati craftswomen, who delivered live demonstrations of traditional crafts linked to the local environment. This interactive experience gave the Polish public an opportunity to explore an authentic aspect of Emirati heritage.

The Sharjah National Folk Arts Troupe also contributed a distinctive cultural atmosphere through performances of Al-Ayyala, Al-Liwa and Al-Nuban, creating a vibrant artistic display that reflected the richness and diversity of Emirati folk traditions and strengthened cultural bridges with international audiences.

A cultural vision beyond display

His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, stated that the Institute’s participation in this global cultural event aligns with Sharjah’s cultural vision, which views heritage as a bridge for civilisational communication and a key pillar in strengthening cultural identity.

He explained that Sharjah’s selection as guest of honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair reflects the emirate’s high cultural standing and its continued efforts to support Arab culture and enhance its global presence. He noted that the Institute aimed to present a comprehensive picture of Emirati heritage and highlight its role in fostering human understanding between peoples.

Al Musallam added that the fair served as an important platform for cultural dialogue and exchange of expertise with international institutions, contributing to the development of mechanisms for preserving cultural heritage and transmitting it through contemporary methods aligned with global changes.

New partnerships for safeguarding heritage

On the sidelines of the participation, the Institute’s delegation held a series of professional meetings with Polish heritage institutions. These included the Polonika Institute for Polish Cultural Heritage Abroad, where both sides discussed cooperation opportunities in scientific documentation, knowledge exchange and launching joint research programmes on cross-border cultural heritage.

The delegation also met representatives of Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage to explore cooperation in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and benefiting from institutional experiences in managing heritage files and protecting cultural assets.

Further meetings were held with the National Heritage Board of Poland (NID), which specialises in cultural heritage protection and digital documentation. Discussions focused on potential cooperation in digitisation, heritage databases, training and exchange of expertise related to the protection of both tangible and intangible heritage.

From cultural presence to institutional cooperation

This participation confirms that the presence of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage in Warsaw was not merely a cultural showcase, but a practical step towards building sustainable institutional partnerships in research, documentation, preservation, digitisation and community awareness. It aligns with Sharjah’s vision of transforming its international presence into opportunities for cultural exchange and strengthening Emirati culture globally.

The Institute’s participation in the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026 formed an important link in the broader context of Sharjah being selected as guest of honour at the fair, as the first Arab guest of honour in its history. This marks further confirmation of the advanced position of the UAE’s cultural project and its ability to present Arab culture in its finest form on European cultural platforms.