Sultan opens Arab Theatre Authority’s HQ in Al Heera
Sharjah Ruler hails the theatre and theatricians and announces the allocation of a financial deposit for the ATA’S activities
Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is also honorary president of Arab Theatre Authority (ATA), on Sunday inaugurated the ATA headquarters in Al Heera area, City of Sharjah. Marking this occasion, Sheikh Sultan delivered a speech in which he saluted the theatre and theatricians and announced the allocation of a financial deposit for the ATA’S activities.
Sheikh Sultan stressed the importance of the theatre as an authentic pillar of culture for developing and promoting the society, noting that he would continue to support the theatre and theatricians in all Arab countries, until the theatre restores its importance as it was before.
Sheikh Sultan then toured the ATA’S headquarters, which includes two adjacent buildings that are two traditional heritage houses rebuilt as part of the revival of the old town of Al Heera. There, he was briefed on the various facilities of the headquarters including several dedicated administrative and technical departments in addition to the library, publishing, training and qualification departments, school theatre, digital library and Arab Centre for Documentation and Theatre Studies.
The headquarters was designed according to the traditional Emirati architecture style and had all the required modern facilities available in it.
The design includes key elements such as elaborate wood carvings and plaster decorations, these being traditional architectural features that characterise the area.
Various infrastructure facilities and services were also provided in the building and next to it to facilitate the movement of ATA visitors. Meanwhile, Arab artists from all Arab countries saluted Sheikh Sultan and expressed their happiness about and pride in his unlimited support and the inauguration of the ATA headquarters as an open house for Arab playwrights.
Separately, Sheikh Sultan as well as the Honorary President of the Emirates Writers Union, was present on Saturday evening at the celebration of the Union’s 40th anniversary of its establishment at the Sharjah Book Authority headquarters. Upon his arrival, Sheikh Sultan was welcomed by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Book Authority, Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, and several senior officials, writers, and scholars.
Sheikh Sultan gave a lecture focused on the significance of culture and intellectuals in society, highlighting the historical origins of the endeavours of intellectuals and writers in Europe. These efforts led to significant changes, marking the onset of the activation of intellectuals’ roles across Europe.
In his speech, Sheikh Sultan praised the efforts of the former presidents of the Union. He appreciated their contributions to the fields of culture and literature, acknowledging their deep knowledge and experience in the community’s educational, cultural, and scientific capabilities. The community greatly relies on them.
In his address, the Ruler of Sharjah discussed the concept of culture, defining it as expertise and empowerment in the fields of science, literature, and the arts.
He then traced the historical impact of intellectuals and writers on societies, starting in Britain in 1613 AD with the arrival of the renowned William Shakespeare, whose theatrical and literary works caused a significant sensation. This period continued to set England apart from the rest of Europe in terms of cultural revival until approximately a century later with the advent of the English scientist Isaac Newton, a period known as the Age of Enlightenment, contrasting the Dark Ages that plagued Europe. Subsequently, various European nations began to gravitate towards science, culture, and the arts, under the influence of England.
This led to the emergence of a group of French philosophers, including Diderot, Jean-jacques Rousseau, and others, who confronted the lack of societal response to their ideas, until the case of Alfred Dreyfus, a French artillery officer.
He authored an article in the Parisian newspaper L’aurore, criticizing certain policies that led to his arrest and exile from the country. Subsequently, the French writer Émile Zola came forward and penned his letter “J’accuse...!” which was published in L’aurore, defending Dreyfus and demanding the reversal of his sentence.