"sunrise" Launches a book "Sharjah: Capital of Culture" In cooperation with the publishing house "Assouline"

Sharjah, November 10 / WAM / Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), today witnessed the official launch of the book “Sharjah: Capital of Culture” in cooperation with the luxury international publishing house “Assouline”, known for its artistic vision and international reach.

This unique publication represents an important achievement in highlighting the cultural and civilizational status of Sharjah on the global stage. It is the second cooperation between Shurooq and Dar Assouline after the great success achieved by the book “Mleiha: Ancient Treasures from the Emirates,” which was launched in 2024, and which documented the history of the Mleiha region, extending for more than 210,000 years and highlighted its rich archaeological and cultural heritage.

Together, the two works embody Shurooq’s vision of documenting the emirate’s identity and cultural heritage through art, history, and creative narrative.

The partnership between “Shurooq” and “Assouline” to publish the book reflects the belief of both sides in the importance of culture and storytelling and their role in promoting understanding, creativity, human communication and supporting sustainable development endeavors. It embodies the vision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi about culture as a pillar of development and equal global dialogue between peoples. This trend is reinforced by her being a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO in the field of education and book culture, which is an international honor that reflects appreciation for her pioneering career and her global efforts in supporting publishing and education. And enhancing the role of culture and knowledge in building more prosperous and connected societies.

The book launch ceremony at the “House of Wisdom” in Sharjah was an interactive celebration of the rich heritage of the Emirate of Sharjah, as the party took guests on a multi-sensory interactive journey that included tripartite performances and sound effects that stimulate visitors to interactively explore the experience and journey of the emirate.

These sensory experiences embodied the depth of Sharjah’s cultural identity as a global center for knowledge, creativity, natural beauty and heritage protection.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi stressed that Sharjah’s cultural journey represents a living dialogue between the past and the future, where science turns into light, creativity into language, and culture into a bridge that connects hearts and minds in various parts of the world, noting that every initiative that emerges from Sharjah, including this cooperation with Dar Assouline, embodies the emirate’s belief that progress flourishes when identity and innovation go together and when art and reason meet to light the way towards a more inspiring and interconnected world.

For his part, His Excellency Ahmed Obaid Al Qasir, Executive Director of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said: “This book embodies Sharjah’s vision for culture, heritage and knowledge as foundations for development and progress and reflects the emirate’s development process under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, highlighting the role of (Shurooq) led by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi in translating this vision into pioneering destinations that embody authenticity and innovation.

Al Quseir added that through cooperation with Dar Assouline, we affirm our commitment to presenting Sharjah’s cultural and development achievements to the world and to continuing our goals aimed at promoting sustainable growth based on identity and noble goals.

For his part, Prosper Assouline, founding partner of Assouline Publishing House, said: “Working on the book Sharjah: Capital of Culture was a great honor for us. Sharjah is a city that celebrates its ancient heritage, arts and culture, and at the same time combines authenticity and contemporary experiences that reflect its vibrant and renewed spirit.”

Launching the book amid the beauty of the architectural design of the “House of Wisdom” was an interactive experience through the seven chapters included in the book, which are architecture, art, education, environment, literature, museums, and handicrafts.

The artistic designs, in cooperation with the Sharjah Art Foundation, contributed to enriching the atmosphere of the book launch ceremony, as it celebrated Sharjah’s contribution to contemporary art while preserving its roots and cultural identity.

The ceremony included live performances of traditional Emirati crafts presented by the “Irthi” Council for Contemporary Crafts, which included the “Tali” and “Safifa” crafts, embodying the emirate’s vision of preserving the Emirati craft heritage.

The cultural atmosphere of the book launch ceremony was enhanced by a live interactive presentation of the art of Arabic calligraphy presented by Uday Ibrahim Al-Shallah, in which he combined the aesthetics of traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary artistic vision.

Chef Mira Al Naqbi, the first Emirati chef to hold a Michelin star in the United Arab Emirates and Croatia, provided the audience with an experience that embodies the taste of culinary arts and the rich heritage of Sharjah and the UAE, complementing the sensory experience with the flavors of authentic Emirati cuisine.

The ceremony culminated in the unveiling of the first copy of the first edition of the book, which was presented as a masterpiece and a symbol of Sharjah’s cultural heritage. The ceremony inspired communication and dialogue between writers and artists, embodying Sharjah’s commitment to promoting knowledge, creativity and cultural dialogue.

The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries and representatives of government and cultural authorities in the Emirate of Sharjah, including Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, His Excellency Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and Issa Yousef, Director General of the Sharjah Antiquities Authority, along with a number of partners and representatives of cultural and media institutions in the country and abroad.

The book “Sharjah: Capital of Culture” documents Sharjah’s transformation into a bridge between history and modernity. By combining world-class photography, rigorous scientific research and intellectual narratives, the book highlights Sharjah’s success in achieving a balance between heritage preservation, innovation and progress.

Each chapter of this luxurious edition provides a unique insight into the ways in which Sharjah has developed its cultural system and includes leading destinations including “Heart of Sharjah,” “House of Wisdom,” “Sharjah Mosque,” ​​“Mleiha National Park,” and others.

The book covers the global achievements that Sharjah has achieved over the years, including the inclusion of Al Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, in addition to global cultural initiatives and institutions, the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Biennial, and Sharjah Publishing City, the first free zone dedicated to publishing and creative industries in the world.

The book documents the international titles awarded to Sharjah by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), including “Capital of Arab Culture” in 1998, “Capital of Islamic Culture” in 2014, and “Sharjah World Book Capital 2019.” It represents a literary archive and a visual tribute to an emirate that continues its journey of inspiring the world through its endeavor to promote knowledge and cultural dialogue.

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