Traditional dances steal the limelight at Sharjah Heritage Days

On February 12, 2025, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 22nd edition of Sharjah Heritage Days.

The event was held in the Heritage Area of the Heart of Sharjah.

Organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage under the theme “Roots,” the event saw broad participation from local, Arab, and international communities.

The event schedule offers a range of interactive activities and programmes, allowing audiences to engage with different Emirati environments. The theatre platform will host two performances, while the Juzur educational corners for children and young people will showcase their activities at the Creators’ Store, along with the Painters’ Hall and the Important Corner.

Other highlights include the two thrones, the workshops corner, the youth council, the sand square, public programmes, traditional craft training courses, and the House of Popular Games, which will unite the audience for a variety of interactive experiences.

Sharjah Heritage Days will showcase a diverse array of traditional folk arts and dances from various cultures, with performances by numerous folklore groups, Arab community ensembles, and international participants.

The Sharjah National Band, along with several local folk groups, will present a variety of artistic expressions, including Al Ayala, Nuban, Andima, Harbiya, Liwa, Rawah, Dan, Habban, Razif, Al Nadba, Al Naham, Al Aza, and sea hymns.

The participating community groups will also present performances showcasing Gulf arts, including the Saudi Ardah, the Iraqi and Yemeni Jalsah, the Emirati Caravan, as well as national band performances from Georgia and Russia, along with various artistic expressions from Arab communities.

This year’s Sharjah Heritage Days will feature participation from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Additionally, several Arab countries will be represented, including Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Tunisia, Algeria, and Lebanon.

Alongside His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, the opening ceremony was attended by Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office; Sheikh Khalid Bin Issam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation; Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Sheikh Majid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Districts Affairs; Sheikha Nawar Bint Ahmed Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikh Salem Bin Mohammed Bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; along with numerous sheikhs, senior officials, official guests, and a group of experts and stakeholders involved in the event.