His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended the award ceremony for the winners of the 16th Sharjah Biennial in the Heart of Sharjah. Upon his arrival, His Highness was welcomed by Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Arts Foundation; Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Businesswomen Council.
The ceremony began with a visual presentation that highlighted the key milestones in the preparation for this year's biennial, along with clips from previous editions and the activities and events that the biennial offers as a major global artistic event.
Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Arts Foundation, delivered a speech addressing the comprehensive vision of the Sharjah Biennial as a distinguished global creative art event. She emphasised its connection to Sharjah's cultural project, which receives the highest levels of care and attention. She stated, "The 16th Sharjah Biennial has arrived in the city from which it originated, carrying its gifts in abundant baskets and blessed by the visions of its sponsor and founder. It unfolds its offerings across the emirate, enriched by the creativity of artists from all corners of the world, after traversing places and times in search of the higher value of humanity wherever it exists. The biennial’s curators seek the commonality in what appears different, the authenticity in what seems hybrid, and the essence in what appears transient.
The Chairperson of the Sharjah Arts Foundation pointed to the theme of this biennial and the philosophy and role of art in its broadest sense in human life, noting the unlimited support from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for all the projects proposed by the emirate. She said, "This edition carries the title 'Our Journeys.' What projects does this journey encompass that can restore our sense of self, exhausted by what is happening in the world around us? Is there any path other than that of art that can represent salvation for us? Perhaps this is what we are expected to discover in the coming days and weeks. Sharjah—every part of Sharjah—celebrates this occasion, which we hope will be worthy of this good land and worthy of the parents of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. I find no words to encompass his great generosity; all expressions are submerged in the sea of his wisdom, and all the aspirations we seek stand at his first step. I dedicate this biennial to my father and role model, and to you, the children and residents of Sharjah.
At the conclusion of her speech, Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the curators of the exhibition, the participating artists, as well as all the organisers and supporters.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah honored the winners of this year's Sharjah Biennial: Aziz Hazara, Blavi Paul, and Prachaya Vinthong. Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi also recognised the sponsors and partners of this edition, taking commemorative photos with them on this occasion.