Approval of Participating Artworks for the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival

Approval of Participating Artworks for the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival

Al Qaseer: A new edition that embodies the creative vision of the Ruler of Sharjah

Sharjah –

The Higher Committee of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival has approved the artworks participating in the 26th edition of the festival, which will commence next November under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

This came during a meeting held at the Department of Culture in Sharjah, chaired by Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Director of the Festival, along with members of the Higher Committee.

Al Qaseer stated that the organizing committee has intensified its preparations for launching the new edition, which carries a creative dimension reflecting the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in supporting the arts as a universal cultural language. He emphasized that this edition holds special significance as the festival continues to strengthen its international presence by hosting a distinguished group of artists from around the world.

The Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs explained that the Higher Committee has recently begun sending invitations to artists, noting that the artworks received were distinguished by innovative ideas that embodied the theme of this edition, “Lantern.” He added that the selection process followed precise criteria to ensure the artworks align with the festival’s theme.

He continued, “The festival’s activities will be distributed across a number of prominent cultural landmarks in Sharjah, including the Sharjah Art Museum, Calligraphy Square with its various facilities such as the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Calligraphers’ Houses, Dar Al Nadwa, Bait Al Khazaf, the Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation, and the Sharjah Center for the Art of the Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation. In addition, the city of Khorfakkan will host outdoor installations that reflect the authenticity of this art and present it to the public through inspiring perspectives. Other venues, such as the House of Wisdom, 1971 Design Space, and several local institutions, will also showcase remarkable creative works by Emirati, Arab, and international artists.”

It is worth noting that the Higher Committee of the Festival has chosen “Lantern” as the theme for the current edition — a distinctive artistic concept symbolizing light and illumination.

The theme description explains that Lantern evokes limitless imagery and represents the patient crafting of light. It further elaborates that, in this context, the Lantern is not merely a material object but also an essence — transcending the mere function of lighting to become a gateway to the depths of the human soul and a path toward the cosmic sphere where light flows.

The description continues elsewhere: “The purpose of considering the Lantern as a gateway to the human soul lies in the lasting impression it leaves — not a fleeting one, but a permanent reflection. A single gaze at a glowing Lantern can transport us back to the dreams of memory and distant recollections, to those nights when gathering around the Lantern made it, for a moment, a companion in solitude.”

The Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival was launched in 1998 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Since then, it has redefined the artistic vision of Islamic arts, preserving their aesthetic presence and historical significance.