Under the Patronage and in the Presence of His Highness Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Ruler's Office in Kalba
Festival celebrates date tree as a symbol of Sharjah's heritage & source of sustenance & shelter
Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) opened the First Palm Festival at Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi in Kalba, under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Ruler's Office in Kalba. During the opening, His Highness was accompanied by HE Hilal Mohammad Abdullah Nasser Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Kalba Municipal Council and Ahmed Juma Al Hawara, Director General of Kalba Municipality.
The festival, which is the first of its kind to be facilitated by SMD, runs 11-13 September, and provides a platform for celebration of the noble date tree that both serves as a symbol of Sharjah's heritage and has loyally provided the people of the UAE with shelter and sustenance over the years.
Visitors of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed participating in a number of workshops focusing on art. Exhibitions included a photography display highlighting the different varieties of palm trees and the time-honored practice of date harvesting, as well as a collection of typical Emirati palm tree crafts. Shahd Kashmir for Honey and Dates displayed the various types of dates.
Organizations participating in the First Palm Festival include Dibba Al Hisn Society for Culture, Heritage, and Theatre, the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, Al Nakheel Society for Art and Popular Heritage, Bin Majid Society for Popular Art and Rafting, Research and Studies Unit for Developing Dates and Palm Trees, and Community Development center, Kalba. The event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Olympic Jewelers L.L.C. and Al Fujairah Jewelers.
The First Palm Festival took place in Kalba at the residence built between 1898 and 1901 that once served as beachside home of H.E. Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi, and was designed to preserve the artistic and traditional identity of the Gulf architecture and Islamic pan-Arabian style. The residence has been comprehensively restored to display a permanent collection of historic items of Islamic heritage and lifestyle, archaeological finds, weapons, agricultural equipment, in addition to a collection of musical instruments.
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About the Sharjah Museums Department:
The Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) was established in 2006 by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. SMD manages more than 16 sites in the Emirate, covering most types of art, Islamic culture, archaeology, heritage, sciences, aquaculture and the history of the emirate of Sharjah and the region.
SMD aims to provide the highest standards of museum services through its museums, galleries, educational and research programmes, social communication programmes for Sharjah 's residents and visitors from the region. The vision of the department is to improve understanding, appreciation and respect for Sharjah's identity and the value of its cultural and natural heritage locally and internationally.
For more information please visit the website: www.sharjahmuseums.ae
© Press Release 2014
