In the city of Al Hamra, Sharjah, the 'Sharjah Heritage Days' festival has kicked off, running for three days in the Heritage Village. The event aims to connect the past with the present and utilize heritage to achieve future accomplishments. The festival features a wide array of cultural, recreational, and folk activities, competitions, as well as sections for local producers and traditional foods. This initiative is designed to strengthen the bond between youth and their cultural heritage and to introduce them to the folk traditions of the United Arab Emirates. The spotlight is on the role of mosques, kuttab schools (traditional Islamic schools), and Islamic arts in enhancing educational curricula and linking heritage with community identity and culture. 'Heritage Days' showcases the rituals of preparing Arabic coffee, the addition of cardamom and saffron, embodying the values of generosity and social interaction. The Arab Heritage Center presented the Sudanese 'Jartuk' ritual in a lecture by Dr. Asad Abdelrahman. Emirati 'Ayala' art captivated visitors with its musical performances and folk dances. The festival, held under the theme 'The Glow of Authenticity', will continue until the 15th of this month. At the Nabooda House, several new publications by the Sharjah Institute of Heritage were signed, and the Damma Council introduced the traditional Damma board game to a new generation. A seminar titled 'Markets of the UAE.. Experiences and Memories' discussed old commercial life, buying and selling customs, and the importance of documenting traditional crafts for future generations. In the 'Emirati Environments' pavilion, details of Bedouin life, from herding to the tent dwelling, were highlighted, along with traditional crafts, Bedouin cuisine, and the role of Arabic coffee as an authentic symbol of hospitality. Additionally, the 'Cultural Café' hosted a discussion on the impact of Islamic heritage on education development in Portugal, featuring Dr. Raj Izar and Dr. Inas Camara.
