A slice of Emirati heritage on show at Sao Paulo book fair
Visitors experience embroidery, crafts and traditional music at Sharjah pavilion
Visitors to the ongoing Sao Paulo International Book Fair are getting a glimpse of age-old practices that embellish the UAE’s unique social fabric.
Representing the UAE through the Sharjah pavilion at the 25th Sao Paulo book fair, where the emirate is a guest of honour, Emirati artists are displaying a range of heritage art including embroidery, handicrafts and traditional music.
Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi), an affiliate of Nama Women Advancement Establishment (Nama), and the Sharjah Institute for Heritage are hosting a variety of activities at the fair to introduce the international audience to some of the crafts that have been practised by Emirati women for generations.
Six artisans from Irthi’s ‘Bidwa’ Social Development Programme and another five from the Emirates Handicraft Centre at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage are giving live demonstrations on a variety of traditional Emirati crafts like talli (hand-woven braids), safeefa (palm frond weaving), henna art, doll-making and burqamaking, among others.
Reem Bin Karam, director of Nama, said the Brazil visit is a reflection of the UAE’s and Sharjah’s keenness to strengthen cross-cultural partnerships and share expertise.
“We are here to encourage dialogue between two very distinct yet similar cultures. Heritage, art and empathy are global humanitarian qualities — ones that are strongly endorsed and encouraged by our leaders and our nation,” said Bin Karam. Irthi’s participation in Brazil seeks to spread the UAE’s wonderful legacy, she added.