The Sharjah Cultural Project represents a narrative that merits careful documentation and scholarly attention. It weaves together a rich constellation of ideas that open expansive horizons across literature, intellectual thought, books, reading, publishing, theatre, and the arts. At its core lies an ambitious cultural vision conceived by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, aimed at transforming the emirate into a global cultural beacon grounded in human development and intellectual enrichment.
This visionary ambition has been translated into concrete action through sustained institutional commitment and measurable achievements. Sharjah has garnered numerous international recognitions, most notably its designation as the Arab Capital of Culture in 1998 by UNESCO and later as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014. These milestones reflect not symbolic recognition alone, but the cumulative outcome of long-term cultural planning and strategic investment.
An examination of Sharjah’s cultural trajectory reveals several defining characteristics: a deep-rooted connection to heritage; the harmonious integration of historical legacy with contemporary urban design; the establishment of a wide network of museums; and the continuous hosting of cultural and artistic exhibitions, festivals, and events. Complementing these elements is a robust infrastructure that actively supports cultural and artistic production. Collectively, these features attest to the vitality, sustainability, and adaptability of the Sharjah Cultural Project, as well as its capacity to open new avenues for cultural and intellectual investment. Through its initiatives, programmes, and institutions, the project consistently seeks to elevate the human experience and cultivate an informed, creative, and culturally engaged society.
At its foundation, the project is the product of enlightened leadership and unwavering commitment. The sustained material and moral support provided by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has positioned the emirate as a sanctuary for human creativity and intellectual pursuit. Today, Sharjah stands as a regional and international hub for cultural development, book production, and the promotion of reading in its diverse forms.
A Strong Foundation
More than four decades have elapsed since the inception of Sharjah’s cultural project, which established the cornerstone of the emirate’s contemporary cultural development. This journey formally began on 30 April 1981, when His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah issued a royal decree establishing the Cultural Department. The institution subsequently evolved into the Department of Culture and Information and was later restructured as the Department of Culture, reflecting a strategic emphasis on strengthening cultural initiatives and expanding the reach of creative and intellectual activity among both citizens and residents of the emirate.
Over the years, the hallmarks of a cultural renaissance gradually emerged through the establishment of an extensive network of cultural facilities, institutions, infrastructure, universities, and museums. These developments were reinforced by a series of major cultural initiatives that came to constitute the core pillars of Sharjah’s cultural project. Within this framework, the Department of Culture assumed a central coordinating role, serving as an umbrella institution for a wide range of cultural activities and events. Through sustained collaboration with local, Arab, and international cultural institutions, the Department has worked to advance cultural participation, promote Arab and Islamic values, and expand intellectual horizons in support of comprehensive and sustainable development.
The Department has overseen cultural and artistic activities across multiple disciplines, with particular emphasis on theatre. Theatre has emerged as one of the emirate’s most distinctive cultural features, notably through the flagship festival Sharjah Theatre Days, launched in 1984. This annual event has played a decisive role in fostering theatrical awareness, supporting local productions, identifying and refining emerging talent, and advancing theatrical practice throughout the emirate.
Equally significant is the development of a fully integrated theatrical infrastructure, exemplified by Al Majaz Theatre, inaugurated in May 2014. The theatre functions as a multidisciplinary platform for artistic, cultural, and tourism activities in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, and the wider region. Combining refined architectural design with advanced acoustic and technical systems and offering panoramic views of the city skyline and Khalid Lake, Al Majaz Theatre has become one of the emirate’s premier venues for hosting major cultural and artistic events.
Promoting Knowledge
Sharjah has demonstrated a sustained commitment to promoting reading and facilitating access to knowledge, most notably through the establishment of the House of Wisdom in 2019. This initiative created a lasting legacy aligned with Sharjah’s designation as a UNESCO World Book Capital. The landmark was inaugurated by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in 2020, one year after the emirate received the World Book Capital title. The House of Wisdom redefines the conventional notion of a library, transforming it into a dynamic cultural and social hub that integrates knowledge, innovation, and community engagement. It provides an inclusive and interactive environment that fosters reading, creativity, and intellectual exchange, distinguished by its contemporary architecture, minimalist design, and technologically advanced facilities.
Another cornerstone of Sharjah’s cultural project is the Sharjah International Book Fair, founded in 1982 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Initially launched as a platform to encourage reading and publishing, the fair has evolved into one of the most prominent cultural events in the region and internationally. Today, it is overseen by the Sharjah Book Authority and plays a vital role in supporting the publishing and translation industries, while strengthening the United Arab Emirates’ position as a global cultural hub.
The Cultural Locomotive
According to numerous cultural observers and experts, the Sharjah International Book Fair functions as a cultural locomotive driving the Arab intellectual and literary landscape. Each year, it attracts millions of visitors from within the UAE and across the region. In recent years, the fair has introduced innovative initiatives, expanded exhibition spaces for participating publishers, and attracted leading Arab and international authors, thinkers, and creative professionals. As a result, it has evolved from an annual book exhibition into a comprehensive cultural platform, reinforcing Sharjah’s role as a centre for intellectual and cultural activity at both regional and global levels.
The fair has also succeeded in hosting major international publishing houses and curating an extensive accompanying programme of intellectual and cultural events, featuring prominent figures from Arab and global cultural circles.
Complementing this major initiative, the Sharjah Reading Festival for Children, launched in 2008, focuses on nurturing a culture of reading among younger generations. The festival aims to cultivate lifelong readers by encouraging children’s engagement with books and knowledge from an early age. Its approach reflects a strategic investment in children and youth, guiding their aspirations and fostering a generation that is informed, innovative, and creative—well equipped to contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s cultural and developmental trajectory.
Publishing and Libraries
On 25 February 2009, under the initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Emirati Publishers Association was established to support and develop the publishing sector in the United Arab Emirates. The association seeks to raise professional standards, strengthen the role of Emirati and Arab publishers, and enhance the competitiveness of the publishing industry. Through training and capacity-building programmes, it has contributed to developing publishers’ skills, fostering professional collaboration, protecting intellectual property rights, and promoting best practices in copyright management and distribution.
The association also plays a role in advancing the library and information profession in the UAE by encouraging cooperation among libraries, developing professional competencies, publishing research and studies, contributing to the formulation of professional standards, and providing technical consultancy. These efforts have reinforced the role of libraries as key instruments for disseminating knowledge and promoting a culture of reading within Emirati society.
In the same year, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi founded the Emirati Council for Young Adult Books to encourage the publication and circulation of high-quality Arabic children’s and young adult literature. The council provides platforms for emerging and established authors, illustrators, and publishers to exchange expertise, develop professional capacity, and access training and support, thereby strengthening the ecosystem of children’s literature in the UAE.
Further reinforcing this framework, the Emirates Library and Information Association was established in 2017 with the objective of supporting library and information services nationwide. The association promotes cooperation among libraries, professional development, research publication, and the formulation of unified policies and standards aimed at enhancing the performance and sustainability of library and information services across the country.
Diwan Al-Arab (The Arab Poetry Heritage)
Sharjah’s cultural project has accorded particular importance to Arabic poetry as a fundamental pillar of Arab cultural heritage. This commitment is reflected in sustained efforts to support emerging poetic talent, nurture creativity, and provide structured platforms through which local and Arab poets may engage in dialogue and exchange expertise. These efforts have materialised through poetry evenings, specialised workshops, and academic seminars.
A major milestone in this regard was the establishment of the House of Poetry in 1997, which quickly emerged as a central cultural hub for poetry practitioners and audiences alike. This initiative was later expanded through the Arab Poetry Houses project, launched in 2015 under the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, with the aim of supporting and revitalising the poetic movement across the Arab world. Collectively, these institutions have reinforced poetry’s role as a living cultural practice and a key vehicle for cultural continuity and renewal.
Founded in 1998 under the guidance of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, the Islamic Arts Festival represents a major platform for celebrating the depth, diversity, and aesthetic richness of Islamic arts. The festival promotes an active dialogue between tradition and modernity by showcasing innovative artistic works that integrate classical techniques with contemporary artistic approaches. Through this dynamic interaction, Islamic art is presented not as a static heritage form, but as a vibrant and evolving contemporary practice.
The festival reflects the vitality of Islamic artistic expression, highlights its civilisational and aesthetic achievements, and contributes to the development of visual literacy among audiences. Moreover, it functions as a bridge for intercultural dialogue, reinforcing mutual understanding while preserving and celebrating Islamic cultural and civilisational heritage within a global artistic context.
Civilisational Identity
The years 1997 and 2006 marked significant milestones in the consolidation of Sharjah’s cultural and civilisational identity with the establishment of the Sharjah Art Foundation and the Sharjah Museums Authority, respectively. The latter oversees all museums and heritage sites across the emirate, ensuring institutional coherence in the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage.
The inauguration of the Sharjah Art Museum further strengthened these efforts by providing a dedicated space for safeguarding and exhibiting artistic and historical works. Collectively, Sharjah’s museums aim to raise cultural awareness through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of historical, scientific, and artistic artefacts. They safeguard collections that document the emirate’s history from the Stone Age to the contemporary period, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding and systematic documentation of Sharjah’s cultural heritage.
As part of a strategic vision to advance the publishing sector at local, regional, and international levels, Sharjah culminated its cultural project in 2013 with the launch of Sharjah Publishing City, under the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. This initiative was conceived within a clear strategic framework aimed at addressing the evolving needs of the publishing industry and providing Emirati and Arab publishers with access to global book markets.
Sharjah Publishing City also enables international publishers to establish a regional presence, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of services that encompasses printing, distribution, editorial development, proofreading, translation, design, and production. In doing so, it positions Sharjah as a competitive global hub for the publishing industry.
The role of Sharjah Publishing City is closely integrated with the emirate’s wider cultural initiatives, educational institutions, and academic infrastructure. The presence of numerous universities, research centres, and government programmes—many of which procure substantial quantities of books annually for schools, universities, and public institutions—provides publishing investors with a distinctive and sustainable market environment.
Ambitious Initiatives
The establishment of these cultural institutions and facilities has been accompanied by a wide range of ambitious initiatives designed to stimulate creativity, encourage reading, and cultivate a society that regards the book as a primary instrument for intellectual advancement and knowledge production. These initiatives align closely with Sharjah’s broader vision of achieving tangible and sustainable cultural development, reinforcing its status as a capital of culture, knowledge, and books within the United Arab Emirates.
Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and supported by the innovative programmes of its cultural institutions, Sharjah continues to elevate the status of the book, celebrate authors, publishers, distributors, and readers, and strengthen the emirate’s knowledge-based impact across all segments of society.
Source: Al Khaleej Newspaper – Special Edition