"House of Wisdom" It discusses enhancing cooperation and knowledge partnership with the Portuguese Ministry of Culture

SHARJAH, 6 FEBRUARY/WAM / During his meeting yesterday with His Excellency Alberto Fernando Santos, Minister of State for Cultural Affairs of the Republic of Portugal, the House of Wisdom in Sharjah discussed enhancing the prospects for cultural and knowledge cooperation between Sharjah and Portuguese cultural institutions and consolidating partnership paths in the fields of books, knowledge, research and cultural exchange, in the presence of Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Government Relations.

During his visit, the Portuguese Minister was briefed on the facilities of the House of Wisdom, its knowledge spaces, and its cultural and educational programs, in addition to its most prominent digital initiatives and services directed to students, researchers, and various segments of society.

During the meeting, opportunities for developing institutional cooperation and exchanging experiences in various fields of knowledge and culture were also discussed, reflecting Sharjah’s position as an effective center for civilizational dialogue and a bridge for communication with various global cultures.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi stressed that Sharjah is based on a firm strategic vision in building effective international partnerships based on culture and knowledge as a soft power capable of producing sustainable development opportunities. Sharjah also believes that global communication is a civilized message that is translated on the ground through continuous paths of action with the world’s cities, cultures and institutions. Hence, the Department of Government Relations works to activate this trend by building bridges of cooperation that open broader horizons for partnerships in various development sectors, most notably culture and knowledge.

He pointed out that the visit of the Portuguese delegation comes within this framework to confirm the depth of intersection between the Sharjah Cultural Project and Portuguese institutions and to expand the space for joint work to serve mutual interests and enhance civilizational dialogue.

For his part, His Excellency Alberto Fernando Santos praised the House of Wisdom, stressing that it represents an educational and cultural value that adds to Sharjah’s efforts and its pioneering cultural role. He pointed out that the House of Wisdom in Sharjah is an exceptional model in which the beauty of design meets modern technical means and knowledge in complete harmony. It is an inspiring space that connects the past, present and future and enhances community interaction in the fields of learning, knowledge and culture.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of the House of Wisdom, confirmed that the cultural relations between Sharjah and Portugal extend for more than three decades on a prosperous path that goes beyond traditional cooperation to include long-term research and knowledge partnerships.

She said that Portugal is receiving increasing academic and cultural interest in the Gulf region in general and in Sharjah in particular, as a knowledge partner in harmony with the Sharjah Cultural Project. This cooperation was crowned by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, with the Grand Medal of the Camões Medal, the highest sovereign cultural decoration in the Republic of Portugal, in high international recognition of His Highness’ extended role in opening horizons of cultural and humanitarian encounter and dialogue between peoples and supporting initiatives that restore knowledge to its place in the world. Building communities.

At the conclusion of the visit, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi presented His Excellency the Minister with a copy of the book “The Portuguese on the Land of the Gulf,” which documented in Arabic, Portuguese and English the exhibition “The Portuguese on the Land of the Gulf – 1507-1650… A Successive Journey Through History,” which was previously hosted by the Sharjah International Book Fair and continued after the end of the exhibition at the House of Wisdom in cooperation with the Portuguese University of Coimbra.

The book includes documentation of a selection of the university’s holdings, including old books, manuscripts, inscriptions, correspondence, and works of art, of which 60 artifacts were displayed to the public, providing a cognitive and cultural reading of the Portuguese presence in the Gulf region during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries AD, in addition to documenting the arrival of the Portuguese to the seas and lands of the Gulf, the movement of trade and arts, and the paths of cultural exchange between Portugal and the Gulf region.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Related