By Baron Henri Estramant,
The Emirate of Sharjah lit up betwen 5 and 13 February to celebrate with florescent lights in all landmarks of the capital the fifth repetition of “Sharjah Light Festival”
This year celebrates the crowning of the emirate as the “Arab Tourism Capital for 2015”. The emirate was chosen for the prestigious honour by the Arab Tourism Organisation at the 15th session of the Arab Council of Tourism Ministers held in Cairo, Egypt back in 2012.
The selection reaffirmed and recognised Sharjah’s pre-eminent position as the home of Arab and Islamic culture and a tourism destination with a difference. The festival is such an utter success that it now features prominently in the Sharjah tourism calendar by using some of the most advanced and sophisticated lighting techniques, 3D imagery and artistic contributions by internationally acclaimed artists and technical wizards from Europe and the region.
HH The Amir of Sharjah.
The festival was opened ceremoniously by His Highness The Amir of Sharjah and Supreme Council Member of the UAE, Sheikh Dr Sultan III bin Mohammed Al Qasimi who is a reputed erudite, book author and patron of the arts. He was accompanied by one of Sharjah’s two deputy rulers, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and other members of the ruling Qawasem tribe.
Dr Sultan III bin Mohammed bin Saqr bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi (b. 2 July 1939) is Sharjah’s 18th ruler since 25 January 1972. Currently he is married to Her Highness Sheikh Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, whose brother and namesake of the sitting Amir is holds the post of “Crown Prince of Sharjah”, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi since 1999.
Sharjah’s Amir as well as the UAE’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan as well as Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Adviser at the Office of the Ruler of Sharjah, offered their patronage and support to the XII edition of the “Sharjah Biennial (SB12)”, the longest running and one of the most influential contemporary art event in the Gulf, being held this year under the title “The Past, The Present, The Possible.” The fair is organised by the Sharjah Art Foundation at Al Mareija, Emirate of Sharjah, and runs until 5 June 2015. .
The Emirati ambassador to The Netherlands, HE Mr Abdulla bin Hamdan Alnaqbi as well as the mission’s Third Secretary, Adil bin Sadiq Alamiri, hail from the Emirate of Sharjah.
For more information:
HH The Amir of Sharjah: www.sheikhdrsultan.ae/portal/en/home.aspx
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority: http://sharjahmydestination.ae/en-us/
Sharjah Biennal: www.sharjahart.org/biennial/sharjah-biennial-12/welcome
