The Heart of Sharjah (HOS), one of Sharjah’s premiere tourist destinations, is holding a number of fun-filled activities and workshops for families and young people in collaboration with Maraya Art Centre on February 19 under the title “Nabdh”, which is Arabic for pulse. The workshops are run by the Collage Centre, Vinny Dolls, and Sajaya and will take place from 5-10pm and there will also be performances by artists from 5pm - 10pm. Sajaya is holding the “Traditional Doors” workshop from 5-7pm and the “Threads Keychain” workshop from 7- 9pm. The Collage Centre will hold a “Stone Painting” workshop from 5:30-9:30pm, where participants will learn how to paint different styles on stones. The Collage Centre will also lead the story telling session from 5:30-9:30 for children ages 6 years and over and they will learn how to write a story inspired from their daily life. The goal is to use text and illustrations and give life to personal stories. Vinny Dolls will hold a “DOLL-HEADS”: contemporary doll making workshop of traditional Emirati characters workshop from 5-9pm, where participants will learn how to paint a giant puppet head. This workshop is for both children and parents.
Yousif Al Mutawa, Manager of Heart of Sharjah, said, “These artistic workshops are a wonderful opportunity for kids and young adults to express their creative side. With so many different types of activities being held, there are many options for kids to choose from such as painting puppet heads to learning how to tell a story.” There will also be different performances taking place at HOS and will include shows by Zahed Sultan, who is a multimedia artist who has performed all over the world. Sultan’s ‘Hiwar’ Project will conclude with a 60-minute live multimedia performance in the Heart of Sharjah’s heritage center that will draw links from the Arabian Gulf region. There will also be a puppet theatre performance called “Alia” inspired from Emirati culture by Jordanian artist Macadi Nahhas in partnership with Maqam Productions.
‘Alia’ is created as a result of an educational and artistic project and realized by a team of international artists in cooperation with Heart of Sharjah. Although it is meant to be a fairy tale, it is not dedicated to a child audience only. Both performances are a result of the residency project of both artists who stayed in Heart of Sharjah and researched the local history and culture. There will also be a PechaKucha Night 20x20 presentation where speakers will talk about how heritage has influenced their creative practices. PechaKucha comprises a series of 20 images shown for 20 seconds each. The images advance automatically and the presenter talks along to the images. The event is open to anyone who wishes to make a presentation and is free of charge. Children and families can also enjoy Henna designs by specialized artist, in addition to a kids play area with activities such as a potato sack race, tug of war, lemon and spoon race among other fun activities. There will also be a demonstration of a Puzzle Speed Portrait and an interactive bubble show for children to enjoy.
The Heart of Sharjah (HOS), located few minutes from Sharjah’s corniche area, is a unique destination in a rich cultural setting. The project will restore the city’s epicenter to reflect the 1950s and 1960s, with the aim of preserving the cultural and historical identity of Sharjah. It is scheduled for completion in 2025, and is made up of narrow alleyways, old school buildings, market places and traditional homes. It will feature a diverse range of commercial, cultural and residential projects including a boutique hotel, restaurants, shops, art galleries, traditional and contemporary markets, archaeological sites, museums, play areas, and commercial offices. The Heart of Sharjah stands as a testament of timeless traditions, advanced craftsmanship and thoughtful architecture of this region.