UAE | Heritage and Culture
Occupied Jerusalem becomes Capital of Arab Culture
In a symbolic ceremony held on Monday, the mantle of the Capital of Arab Culture was passed on to Occupied Jerusalem from Damascus.
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 13:12 March 16, 2009
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
- An installation by artist Nadia Ka'abi Linke is given final touches in preparation for the Sharjah Biennial.
Sharjah: In a symbolic ceremony held on Monday, the mantle of the Capital of Arab Culture was passed on to Occupied Jerusalem from Damascus.
The event, which officially marked the passing of the torch, was hosted by Sharjah Biennial at the Cultural Palace under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
"That this event should take place in Sharjah is telling, given that the Emirate was the Capital of Arab Culture in 1998, that it has worked ever since to continue, strengthen and promote the dialogue of traditional and contemporary culture within the region on a daily basis," said Jack Persekian, artistic director of Sharjah Biennial.
The ceremony was conducted by Dr Rafiq Al Hussaini, secretary general of Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture 2009 and Dr Hanan Kassab Hassan, secretary general of Damascus Capital of Culture 2008.
"Hosting such a ceremony is a great honour for the 9th Sharjah Biennial, which is an excellent example that it has firmly established itself as a renowned and ambitious platform for Arab and International contemporary art," said Persekian.
The symbolic ceremony coincided with the informal opening of the Sharjah Biennial which will be held until May 16.
The first day of the Sharjah Biennial witnessed the launch of the 'March Meeting' at Bait Al Shamsi Heritage Area. The three-day symposium consists of workshops and seminars that feature more than 40 institutions from across the region and the United Kingdom.
"The Sharjah Biennial imposes no geographical classifications on displaying work," said Hoor Al Qasimi, director of the Sharjah Biennial 2009.
"We have also decided not to limit the selection process to a wish-list of participants, but have opted to consider work submitted by artists and non-artists alike, who were brave enough to take up the challenge and realise their ideas," she said.
The official inauguration of the Sharjah Biennial will be held on Thursday and is expected to feature over 80 artists from around the world.
Official launch: Art show
The official inauguration of the Sharjah Biennial will be held on March 19 and is expected to feature over 80 artists from around the world.
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Latest news
- Dubai Municipality attains Dh2.1b budget surplus
- Driver to be executed for slitting man's neck
- Sharjah police arrest three accused of stealing
- Shaikh farm thief gets suspended sentence
- UAE: Target 'kingpins' who underwrite piracy
- Car crash causes gridlock on Shaikh Zayed Road
- 17 sentenced to jail for bootlegging in Sharjah
- Man accused of leaking company information
- Driver gets 3 months in jail for molesting girl
- Woman submits waiver in murder case
- Jilted lover jailed for attempted murder
- Plea to fast-track housing scheme
- Police arrest murder suspects within 24 hours
- Education Council rolls out mobile app
- Dubai to host global food safety conference
Community Reports
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
-
Closing U-turns creates new risks
Authorities urged to reopen closed U-turns or construct new ones on Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi Road in Sharjah
-
Enforce the speed limit
Some motorists who drive on Al Albaany Road to avoid the toll put pedestrians at risk
