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In a country passionately devoted to preserving its heritage, a cultural revolution took place in tandem with the impressive developments on the economic, political and social fronts
THE establishment of the UAE in 1971 fanned the fires of creativity in the new-born Federation, ushering in a cultural bloom.
The robust and sustained economic development over the past three decades nurtured a flourishing of the arts.
With a passion for culture deeply ingrained in the consciouness of the people in this region, the tremendous development achieved in the country's economic, political and social fronts have been matched by a parallel — and equally impressive — advancement in the cultural realm.
If the high-rises on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's version of Manhattan, or the Abu Dhabi Corniche, or by the Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, will be used as a measure of economic progress, the Cultural Foundation in the capital, the Shindagha Heritage Area in Dubai, the University City, the Heritage Area and the Art Zone in Sharjah are also shining examples of the UAE's cultural development during the past three decades.
The Ministry of Information and Culture has played a pivotal role in developing and preserving the prehistoric, ancient as well as modern cultural treasures of the country.
Besides supporting cultural establishments and societies, it has also organised and sponsored countless programmes promoting the UAE's cultural treasures globally.
The Constitution of the Federation is both unique and flexible — it enables local governments to play a key role in helping the Federal Government carry out its development plans. Local cultural and information departments were set up in each of the seven emirates to spearhead cultural activities.
Sharjah's Department of Culture and Information (DCI) was set up on April 30, 1982 with the Emiri Decree Number 20, assigned with the specific mission of enhancing the development of information and culture in the emirate.
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has always directed the DCI to focus on human development.
"He has provided full support to help the department achieve its goals and personally contributed towards enriching the cultural experience in the emirate, the UAE and the entire Arab world," says Sheikh Issam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, DCI.
Sheikh Issam |
The Sharjah Ruler had ordered the establishment of several cultural organisations that helped change the cultural face of the emirate. This involved the establishment of 14 dedicated museums, four huge public libraries, a theatre institute, three centres for Arab arts, arts in Sharjah, Arabic calligraphy, a number of state-of-the-art cinema halls, 25 cultural centres for children, and many other cultural associations and establishments.
Dr Sheikh Sultan ordered the establishment of six specialised directorates at the DCI — arts, culture, heritage, archaeology, libraries and planning. This helped the department organise and advance the cultural development of the emirate.
"Its success has been reflected in the quality of events, programmes and activities organised by the DCI, including the Sharjah World Book Fair, the Sharjah International Biennial, in addition to local, regional and international cultural conferences and gatherings," says Sheikh Issam.
Two towers, observation posts, mark the entrance of the UAE Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. |
"We organised a total of 800 cultural programmes and activities throughout the emirate last year. We also published dozens of books and other publications for local authors," he says.
The great efforts by Dr Sheikh Sultan to preserve the emirate's cultural heritage prompted the Unesco to nominate Sharjah as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998.
"As a matter of fact, Sharjah has become a permanent capital for Arabic culture," says Sheikh Issam.
This is due in no small part to the setting up the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity in coordination with the Unesco; the establishment of the modern Sharjah University City; the Sharjah Intellectual Creativity Centre; the Sharjah Women's Club; the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
Institutional support for school libraries and giving permanent premises for the non-governmental organisations in the country, have also been initiated by the Sharjah government.
Although Abu Dhabi is known for its tremendous achievements in economics and politics, it has always accorded top priority to cultural development and to the revival of heritage, following the directives of the President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The Sharjah Cultural Palace, the hub of cultural preservation and promotion activities. |
"A number of renowned poets, novelists, story writers, and other cultural figures, such as the famous poet Mana Saeed Al Otaiba, were known in the region even before the formation of the UAE Federation. However, the country's cultural scene has been enriched further following the formation of the Federation," says Ahmed Mohammed Obaid, Head of the Publishing and Manuscripts Section at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.
According to Obaid, the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation has been a turning point in the history of the cultural development in the capital and the entire country. "The foundation comprises two major establishments, one for Culture and the Arts, while the second handles National Books," says Obaid.
Obaid says the foundation had played a vital role in the cultural development of the emirate and the entire region.
"The foundation organises a number of cultural programmes and activities, including the annual Abu Dhabi Book Fair, cultural weeks, free painting workshops, lectures, art exhibitions, poetry evenings, and cultural gatherings."
The foundation had already published more than 180 books, and a number of new books are under publication now. "The foundation has received tremendous support from the local government. Such support has enabled us to carry out our programmes and draw new strategies to enhance cultural development in the emirate," says Obaid.
Dubai, although better known as the trade capital of the region, has also contributed in a major way to the cultural development of the UAE. This is obvious from the fact that its leaders are not just creative in politics and economy.
They are creative men of letters, poets and lovers of arts and culture. For instance, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, is himself a well-known poet, in addition to being a visionary political leader, an avid sportsman and a man of unique humanitarian initiatives.
The establishment of the Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai on November 3, 1987 was a milestone in the march of cultural development in the emirate. The association not only helped promote culture and sciences in Dubai, it
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