Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) has unveiled a diverse cultural agenda to commemorate its centennial anniversary. Throughout the year, a line-up of workshops, discussions, and interactive experiences will showcase the pivotal role of libraries in shaping knowledge, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering a lifelong love of reading.
Over the next three months, the programme, held in collaboration with leading cultural institutions across the UAE, will bring distinguished authors, experts, and researchers together, providing a dynamic platform for learning, dialogue, and cultural exchange.
The centennial celebrations will begin on Thursday, February 27, from 10 AM to 12 PM at the University of Sharjah in partnership with the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA). The event will feature a panel discussion titled “Literary Roots,” with Amira Abu Kadra, Vice Chairman of EPA, as the guest speaker.
The discussion will focus on Sharjah’s significant contributions to literature and knowledge, a central element of its cultural identity. It will also explore strategies for fostering a love of reading in future generations. The session will include insights from the Manassah Platform and the ‘Read, You’re in Sharjah’ initiative, which aims to encourage a reading culture.
Author Abdelhadi Taqi will lead a creative writing workshop following the panel discussion. Participants will write a literary piece inspired by Sharjah, which will be read and discussed. The written works will be compiled into a tree-shaped installation, symbolising “Literary Roots” and reflecting the role of writing in deepening knowledge and fostering creativity within the community.
Cultural tour for Arabists in Sharjah
As part of the Cultural Renaissance theme of the centennial celebrations, the Arabic Language Academy will host a cultural tour on Saturday 29th of March in Sharjah for distinguished Arabists. The event is designed to strengthen cultural connections and deepen appreciation for Arab civilisation by exploring the historical foundations of Sharjah’s libraries and their pivotal role in the UAE’s cultural development.
Participants will visit key landmarks in Khorfakkan, gaining firsthand insight into the emirate’s rich cultural history. The tour will also include cultural activities, such as poetry recitals featuring classic Arabic literature and personal readings by the guests, highlighting their engagement with and proficiency in Arabic. Additionally, participants will share their personal experiences of learning Arabic, offering diverse perspectives on language and heritage.
The tour will conclude with a group Iftar, creating an interactive and welcoming environment for cultural exchange and meaningful discussions among participants.
Heritage Tales
On Tuesday, April 29, from 9 AM to 11 AM, SPL, in collaboration with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, will host an event at Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center, an affiliate of Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority. Held under the Cultural Civilisation theme, the ‘Heritage Tales’ is designed for children aged 6 to 13, aiming to instil traditional values and introduce them to the UAE’s rich cultural heritage. Through interactive stations, children will engage in storytelling, traditional arts, and recreational activities that bring history to life in an engaging and educational way.
The event will begin with a storytelling workshop titled ‘The School of Tales’. This workshop will explore the significance of folktales in children’s literature and their impact on intellectual, literary, psychological, and social development. Participants will also be introduced to traditional Emirati vocabulary commonly used in these timeless stories.
Following this, children will participate in hands-on workshops celebrating Emirati craftsmanship. The Talli embroidery workshop will teach participants the intricate art of traditional Emirati embroidery, while the Kandura-making workshop will introduce boys to their national attire. Meanwhile, girls will have the opportunity to design their traditional dresses in the Mokhwar workshop, allowing them to explore heritage fashion creatively and interactively. The event will conclude with heritage-themed games and competitions in collaboration with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage.
Reviving old books
As part of the Reviving Forgotten Pages initiative, SPL, in collaboration with Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, will host an event on Thursday, May 29, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum. Designed for youth and adults, the event will highlight the importance of preserving old books and promoting family reading habits. A key feature of the programme is a session titled ‘The Home Library: Promoting Reading and Organising Books,’ where experts will share best practices for book preservation and strategies to encourage reading as a daily family activity.
The event will also include a Book Clinic, offering participants hands-on experience cleaning and preserving old books. A traditional bookbinding workshop will allow attendees to create and design book covers using artistic techniques.
The programme will conclude with a guided tour of the museum’s Iron Age and Greater Arabian Peninsula Halls. Participants will explore some of the earliest forms of writing in Sharjah, including the South Arabian script. The experience will culminate in a hands-on clay inscription activity, during which attendees will engrave their names in ancient styles, reinforcing the historical significance of writing in preserving knowledge.
