Tunisia’s Envoy Explores Sharjah’s Artistic Renaissance at Calligraphy Biennial

Mohammed Wael Al Khamassi, Acting Consul General of Tunisia, tours the celebrated Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, witnessing how the emirate has cultivated Arabic calligraphy as a living, evolving art form that draws creatives from across the globe.

The galleries and exhibition spaces of Calligraphy Square in Heart of Sharjah received a distinguished visitor in early November when Mohammed Wael Al Khamassi, Acting Consul General of Tunisia to the UAE, led a delegation through the carefully curated exhibitions of the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial. The visit marked a moment of cultural exchange between two nations united by a deep reverence for the aesthetic and spiritual traditions of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture and Director of the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, guided the Tunisian delegation through a comprehensive tour of the biennial’s principal venues. The group moved through the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, the Ceramic House, and the Emirates Fine Arts Society for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation, encountering works that span continents and aesthetic philosophies. The Sharjah Centre for Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation and Dar Al Nadwa further enriched the experience, each space offering its own artistic and curatorial perspective on a practice that stretches back centuries.

The biennial’s three honourees—Ali Al Hammadi from the UAE, Khalifa Al Shimi from Egypt and Baleid Hamidi from Morocco—had each curated personal collections that spoke to the remarkable diversity of approach within this ancient discipline. Their works, displayed within the larger constellation of more than 140 artists from around the world, illustrated how Arabic calligraphy continues to evolve whilst remaining rooted in profound cultural and spiritual traditions.

A particular highlight came when the delegation witnessed a specialised workshop on Islamic ornamentation conducted by the Sharjah Centre for Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation with a group of students. These educational sessions, woven through the biennial’s accompanying programme, represent one of the ways Sharjah nurtures creative development and transmits knowledge across generations. The workshop demonstrated how technical skill, aesthetic sensibility and spiritual understanding converge in this rarefied practice.

The delegation also encountered My Family, My Paradise, an exhibition within the biennial’s main showcase featuring eleven Emirati artists whose interpretations of calligraphy reflected intimate connections to family, place and memory. Their works exemplified how this traditional art form remains vital and contemporary, capable of expressing personal narrative and contemporary experience.

The Acting Consul General expressed deep appreciation for what Sharjah has achieved in establishing itself as a custodian and promoter of Arabic calligraphy at the highest level. He emphasised that this ancient art represents a fundamental pillar of Arab and Islamic civilisation, embodying both aesthetic refinement and cultural continuity. He commended the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, whose sustained patronage has transformed the emirate into a destination where creativity flourishes and artists from diverse backgrounds find both platform and support.

The Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial itself stands as evidence of this commitment. Held under the patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, it has built a specialised artistic scene devoted to the practice of Arabic calligraphy since its inception, raising its profile at international cultural events whilst providing emerging generations of artists with the opportunity to develop and showcase their work.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The visit underscores the strength of cultural diplomacy across the Emirates and the broader Arab world. As the UAE works to deepen consular partnerships with nations across Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean, these exchanges of artistic and cultural expertise reinforce the bonds of fellowship and shared civilisational values. The Emirate of Sharjah’s role as a leading cultural destination amplifies the entire federation’s standing as a steward of Arab artistic heritage.

For residents and visitors to Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, the flourishing of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation within the federation demonstrates a conscious commitment to preserving and evolving the aesthetic traditions that define our region’s identity. It signals that alongside contemporary innovation and technological advancement, the UAE honours the depth and refinement of its cultural inheritance, and offers spaces where these traditions continue to inspire, educate and transform.

Source: WAM