Heritage to highlight Sharjah Days for 3 weeks

The 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) begins on Saturday (March 20), in the Heart of Sharjah’s heritage area, with over 500 events and activities offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the vibrant foods, clothing, handicrafts, dances and traditions of the UAE and the world.

Themed 'Cultural heritage gathers us', and organised by Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) , the largest and longest celebration of local and global cultures in the UAE and the region brings together 29 countries, with the Republic of Montenegro being celebrated as Guest of Honour, and Kazakhstan as Special Guest.

The three-week festival from March 20 - April 10 will be open to visitors from 4 pm - 10 pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.

Other participating nations include Belarus, Macedonia, Bashkortostan, Tajikistan, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Maldives, Yemen, Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Sudan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria, Syria, Kenya, Tunisia, Netherlands, Mauritania, Iraq and India.

The Higher Committee has announced that 28 precautionary measures are in place to safeguard the health and safety of visitors and participants.

Amongst these are two entry and exit gates equipped with thermal detectors, social distancing signs and posters, availability of masks and sanitisers, and daily sterilisation of the various venues.

The World Heritage village will undergo 30-minute sterilisation after each activity. Visitor entry is limited to 3,000 on weekdays and 6,000 during the weekend.

To faciliate visitors’ experience, organisers have allocated 490 parking spaces behind Sharjah Theater for Performing Arts, and Al Zahraa Mosque; and in front of Al Arsa Market, and the Cultural Heritage Activities Centre - Al Bait Al Gharbi. Valet parking service will be available at Al Arsa Market and Sharjah Art Theatre.

The Higher Committee of the 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days has announced that comprehensive precautionary measures adhering to UAE’s COVID-19 health and safety regulations will be implemented at the event venues to ensure the wellbeing of both visitors and participants.

Organised by Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), the annually held Sharjah Heritage Days will run for three weeks, from March 20 to April 10, at the Heart of Sharjah’s heritage area and the Khorfakkan Heritage Area.

The committee received members from the local Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Team (ECDMT) in Sharjah as part of an inspection visit to both venue sites in Sharjah and Khorfakkan, where the team ensured the implementation of special protocols and necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The event’s committee announced that 28 precautionary measures will be implemented, including two entry and exit gates equipped with thermal detectors, physical distancing signs and posters, and precautionary instructions displayed on screens at the venue entrances. In addition, protective barriers have been installed in front of customer service booths and dividers placed between seats.

Amongst the precautionary measures include plans for daily sterilisation of the venues, while the activity areas will be sterilised after every use.

Visitors and participants will have easy access to hand sanitising stations, gloves, and masks at both the venues.

In line with the precautionary measures, the committee has capped visitor capacity at 3,000 during weekdays and 6,000 on weekends.

WAM