Sharjah Heritage Organizes a Panel Discussion in Cairo on the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage
Cairo – Cairo International Book Fair, 24 January 2026
As part of its efforts to support human cultural heritage and promote the values of communication among peoples, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage organized a panel discussion at its pavilion participating in the Cairo International Book Fair. The session highlighted the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage as one of the leading initiatives that celebrate outstanding efforts in safeguarding, protecting, and ensuring the sustainability of cultural heritage.
An Honorary Award Based on Scientific Standards
The session, titled “The Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage: Cultural Heritage and Human Communication,” was presented by Her Excellency Aisha Al Hissan Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Award, and moderated by Dr. Meni Bounama, Director of the Content Department at the Institute, in the presence of a distinguished group of intellectuals, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts.
Al Shamsi opened the session by introducing the award, emphasizing that it is an honorary award based on well-defined scientific standards. It is granted by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage to individuals, groups, or projects in recognition of their contributions to the safeguarding, study, protection, and continuity of cultural heritage.
Three Fields and Nine Categories
She explained that the award is divided into three main fields: Best Practices in Safeguarding Elements of Cultural Heritage, Best Narrators (Living Human Treasures), and Best Research and Studies in Cultural Heritage. Each field includes three categories—local, Arab, and international—bringing the total number of award categories to nine.
Honoring Living Human Treasures and Heritage Expertise
Al Shamsi affirmed that, throughout its previous editions, the award has succeeded in attracting a large number of narrators and holders of expertise, scientific skills, and heritage practices. It has contributed to honoring living human treasures, researchers, and folk practitioners from the United Arab Emirates, the Arab world, and beyond.
Open Call for the Sixth Edition
At the conclusion of the session, Al Shamsi invited researchers and those interested in cultural heritage to apply for participation in the sixth edition of the award and to compete across its various fields and categories, noting that the submission deadline is open until 20 March 2026