Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
As part of Sharjah Heritage Days, Bait Al Naboodah hosted a seminar to celebrate traditional crafts and their importance in preserving cultural identity. The event emphasized how crafts connect the past and present, reflect local values, and reinforce a sense of community.
In the first segment, Acter Abdullah Saleh spoke about traditional crafts as a living memory of place and people. He shared personal experiences and examples of UAE crafts, showing how humans use local resources to meet their needs and express cultural identity. His talk highlighted the strong bond between people, their environment, and craft.
The second segment featured Dr Khaled Metwally, who discussed the balance between continuity and renewal in traditional crafts. He stressed the need to modernize crafts for sustainability while preserving their cultural essence. Dr Metwally also emphasized supporting artisans and transferring their knowledge to younger generations through education and training.
The seminar showed that traditional crafts are more than just manual work—they reflect human creativity, values, and history. They strengthen national identity and remind communities of the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage. The session, moderated by Dr Khaled Al Shehhi, Academic Director at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, highlighted crafts as a living heritage influencing both the present and future.
Participants concluded the seminar by underlining the need for continuous support from institutions and communities to preserve traditional crafts. They emphasized sharing knowledge, promoting crafts in modern cultural life, and ensuring these skills are passed on to future generations, keeping the memory of place and people alive.
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