The city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates is hosting a Calligraphy Forum.
This international cultural event dedicated to the art of Arabic calligraphy and contemporary international art is organized by the Cultural Department of the Sharjah government.
The Forum, which is held in all cities and regions of the Emirate of Sharjah, consists of a general exhibition in Calligraphy Square in the capital city, separate exhibitions held at the Sharjah Art Museum, as well as various interactive events, such as the Intellectual Property Symposium, film screenings and organization of practical seminars.
Muhammad Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of the Sharjah Cultural Department, shared details of the tenth session which would be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
During the press conference, held at the department in the presence of His Excellence Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Culture, and participants of the Forum, as well as representatives of mass media from different countries around the world, Muhammad Al Qasir noted that 718 works by 231 artists representing 27 countries are being presented at the current session of the Forum, including the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Canada, Türkiye, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Libya, Iran and Indonesia, Tunisia, Comoros, Japan, Norway and other countries. There will be 219 events, including exhibitions, art workshops, lectures and seminars organized by the Department of Culture together with over 20 organizations and institutions in Sharjah.
The Director of the Cultural Department welcomed the participants saying, “We are delighted to renew our meeting with you today as we are attending the Calligraphy Forum in Sharjah. The Calligraphy Forum has become a cultural and art hub for many artists from around the world, and we are very keen to support calligraphers”.
The tenth session of the Calligraphy Forum in Sharjah will be held under the slogan “Evolution”, because the Forum “seeks new content and renewed creativity”.
Forum venues include: Sharjah House of Wisdom, Al Qasimiya Calligraphy Square and University, Sharjah University College of Fine Arts and Design, Emirates Fine Arts Society, Emirates Photographic Society, Union of Arab Photographers, among others.
The Sharjah Director of the Cultural Department said that the Forum would hold 15 lectures on the latest advances in Arabic calligraphy, including: “The Revival of Emirati Calligraphy by Khaled Al Jallaf”; a lecture by Ahmed Fathi on the characteristics of the Diwani school of calligraphy; a lecture on the formation of Arabic calligraphy and the basics of calligraphy by Jalal Al Muharib, and more. An international symposium titled “Arabic Calligraphy: Cities and History” is also planned to be held at the House of Wisdom.
Al Qasir added that the Forum would be attended by 180 guests, including mass media, lecturers, calligraphers and heads of art workshops from around the world.
Among the highlights of the events and programs of the Islamic Art Calligraphy Forum there is an exhibition of Islamic décor art called “Hymn to Gold”. The exhibition features works by Arab and other Muslim artists.
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Photo: Mueed Ahmed/Creative Commons 4.0