Sharjah: The Sharjah Department of Culture will host the 11th edition of the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, starting on October 2nd, 2024.
In account of the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the biennial undertakes a rich celebration of Arabic calligraphy and its global influences.
The event will reward tribute to three distinguished personalities in the world of calligraphy: Emirati calligrapher Khalid Ali Al Jalaf, Iraqi researcher Idham Khalid Hanish, and José Miguel Poyatos, a Spanish historian specializing in Islamic and Andalusian art. Their artistic heritage will be exhibited in exclusive solo exhibitions at Calligraphy Square in Sharjah, which will be revealed on the inaugural day and remain accessible throughout the biennial.
ملتقى الشارقة للخط يكرّم 3 مبدعين في الدورة 11
.#دائرة_الثقافة #الإمارات #الشارقة #uae #sharjah #dxb#ثقافة #فنون pic.twitter.com/i9CFj2PIdN— دائرة الثقافة (@sharjahculture) September 17, 2024
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department and the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, highlighted the importance of acknowledging these trailblazers. Al Qaseer stated that, “Honoring talents in calligraphy depicts the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah and marks the biennial commitment to celebrating the initiator of this timeless art form that melds meaning and beauty”.
The biennial program will include a variety of exhibitions, both solo and group, held by leading experts in the field. The main exhibition will present original works by calligraphers around the globe, while other exhibitions will highlight contemporary expressions of calligraphy and special contributions from Emirati artists, particularly celebrating their love for their homeland.
In addition, the event will include an exhibition focusing at reviving forgotten scripts and elevating the rich historical narrative of calligraphy. Solo exhibitions by Turkish artist Davut Bektas, titled Golden Letters, and Iranian artist Sadegh Shafiee, titled Notations on the Pen, will further enrich the biennial offerings.
Several local institutions will also come up with this year’s biennial, adding depth and cultural context to this prestigious event.
The Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial is set to once again highlight the universal appeal of calligraphy, a craft that connects cultures through the fluency of the written word.