Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi inaugurates Library Corner by L’ÉCOLE at House of Wisdom
A new specialist library dedicated to jewellery arts, history and craftsmanship has opened at Sharjah's House of Wisdom, marking the first initiative under a three-year partnership between the cultural institution and L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, has inaugurated the Library Corner by L’ÉCOLE at House of Wisdom. The opening ceremony brought together senior leadership from cultural and educational institutions, reflecting the significance of this collaborative venture in Sharjah’s cultural landscape.
The Library Corner represents a distinctive addition to House of Wisdom’s offerings, curating more than 230 titles spanning jewellery history, gemstone knowledge and jewellery-making techniques. The collection encompasses publications from L’ÉCOLE itself, works from Van Cleef & Arpels and other prestigious jewellery houses, alongside specialist volumes and materials designed for younger readers. Mineral specimens and natural materials employed in jewellery craftsmanship are also displayed, whilst a dedicated digital interface provides access to L’ÉCOLE’s online talks, readings and podcasts.
The partnership between House of Wisdom and L’ÉCOLE, established through a three-year collaboration supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, extends beyond the physical library space. A comprehensive cultural and educational programme will feature specialist talks, practical workshops and activities designed to engage visitors across all age groups. Forthcoming offerings include an exploration of gouache application in High Jewellery design, demonstrating how painted designs guide craftspeople through jewellery creation, alongside presentations on historic goldwork techniques and the evolution of craftsmanship across centuries. Children will participate in workshops where they can design their own jewellery pieces, blending creative expression with educational discovery.
Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of House of Wisdom, emphasised the institution’s vision of knowledge as multifaceted experience. She noted that partnerships with specialist institutions prove central to developing the venue’s content, bringing established expertise into its spaces and connecting visitors with authoritative sources of knowledge across diverse disciplines including literature, art, history, crafts and design.
Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts MEIAT, highlighted the institution’s commitment to publishing several titles annually focused on jewellery culture, from historical perspectives to gemology and savoir-faire. She described the Library Corner as a significant step in disseminating jewellery culture throughout Sharjah, whilst anticipating further collaborative developments between the two institutions.
Source: WAM