Sharjah Institute for Heritage and UNESCO Chart Course to Preserve Intangible Cultural Traditions
A specialised capacity-building workshop brings together heritage professionals and international experts to strengthen preservation practices across the Arab world
The Arab Heritage Centre in Sharjah has become a gathering place for cultural stewardship, as the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and UNESCO convene to address one of heritage’s most delicate challenge: the safeguarding of intangible cultural traditions that exist not in stone or wood, but in living practice and collective memory.
Beginning on Monday and continuing through 29th October, a capacity-building workshop brings together focal points designated under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Representatives from cultural and heritage institutions across the Arab world are engaging alongside international experts to deepen their understanding of preservation methodologies and institutional best practice.
Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Institute, emphasised the significance of this initiative, noting that it reflects the Institute’s commitment to supporting both Arab and international efforts in preserving intangible cultural heritage and nurturing expertise in the systems and practices that enable such work. Abu Bakr Al Kindi, Director of the Institute, spoke of the particular value of specialised training programmes in fostering genuine cooperation between cultural institutions across borders and traditions. Such gatherings, he observed, create spaces for the exchange of knowledge and professional development that strengthen institutional performance across the field.
The workshop will be followed by an extended training programme running from 2nd to 5th November. Together, these sessions aim to enhance the performance of focal points, strengthen expertise in preparing nomination files according to the 2003 Convention, and improve institutional practices in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. As we reported in September, Sharjah has been advancing these preservation efforts through collaborative partnerships that unite traditional scholarship with contemporary technology.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
The capacity-building initiatives emerging from Sharjah reflect a broader commitment across the emirates to positioning the UAE as a centre of cultural expertise and stewardship. By strengthening the skills of heritage professionals throughout the Arab region, these programmes enhance the UAE’s standing as a leader in intangible heritage preservation and contribute to the collective knowledge that benefits all who work in this field.
For Abu Dhabi’s cultural institutions, the ripple effects extend beyond Sharjah’s borders. As focal points from across the Arab world develop greater expertise in documenting and safeguarding traditions, the frameworks and methodologies they refine become shared resources that elevate practice across the emirates and the wider region. This collaborative approach reflects the values of Arab and international cooperation that anchor heritage work in the contemporary world.
Source: WAM