How heritage, craft and community make Sharjah the cultural heart of the UAE

When it comes to intriguing culture and heritage, Sharjah stands apart from the glittering towers of its neighbours. It is the UAE’s third-largest Emirate and its cultural heart.

“The beauty of the United Arab Emirates is we are seven completely different emirates," says Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah’s Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. "But we share the same values in terms of culture, history, safety and security.”

Known for its family-friendly appeal and dedication to tradition, Sharjah showcases authentic Arabian heritage across a landscape stretching from the Arabian Gulf to the Hajar Mountains.

Officially recognised as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art in 2019, you can dive into UAE’s rich cultural heritage through traditional crafts, festivals, and historical sites.

“We have a lot of strategic objectives to promote Sharjah as a cultural destination suited to all age groups,” explains Jasim Al Midfa.

Sharjah’s dedication to preserving and celebrating culture is evident in its craft programs, heritage festivals, and artistic projects, which offer immersive opportunities to experience the UAE’s deep-rooted traditions firsthand.

How Sharjah’s UNESCO designation is protecting its culture

Sharjah’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art reflects its deep commitment to safeguarding heritage.

It ensures the cultural landscape is preserved and expanded through purposeful initiatives.

Jasim Al Midfa emphasises this enduring dedication, “Sharjah has always preserved the identity of the tangible and intangible assets that we have...as well as culture and education.”

This focus underpins Sharjah’s cultural vision, reinforcing that heritage here is both a legacy and a responsibility.

The annual Sharjah Heritage Days festival brings together local craftsmen and women to demonstrate traditional weaving, pottery, and calligraphy skills, bridging the gap between past and present.

The UNESCO designation also strengthens Sharjah’s commitment to cultural knowledge transfer. Through workshops led by the Sharjah Art Foundation, artists, designers, and visitors of all ages gain hands-on experience with Emirati arts and crafts taught directly by the artisans.

Local legislation further reinforces Sharjah’s cultural development. In 2017, Emiri Decree No. 5 established policies and strategic action plans for protecting crafts and folk art, aligning with international preservation standards.

This framework ensures that Sharjah’s heritage sector is nurtured and its craftspeople have a strong presence in the broader tourism landscape.

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Exploring Sharjah’s historical sites and archaeological riches

Sharjah’s cultural heritage extends beyond contemporary art and craft to its archaeological sites and historical landmarks.

One of the Emirate’s most significant heritage projects is the proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mleiha, located in the central region.

This area holds an extraordinary array of fossils dating back nearly 90 million years, offering insight into the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula.

The site, set to cover 34 square kilometres, is a testament to Sharjah’s commitment to preserving human history and the region’s geological and ecological heritage.

A visit to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, located near Fossil Rock, reveals artefacts from the Stone Age through to the pre-Islamic era, illuminating the lives of the people who inhabited this region millennia ago.

Walking through Mleiha, you can see remnants of ancient tombs, mud-brick houses, and artefacts that highlight the long tradition of settlement and civilisation in what is now the UAE.

Unlike many historical sites, Mleiha isn’t just a collection of relics; thanks to its rolling red sand dunes, it’s also one of the country’s top desert adventure destinations.

Off-road buggy racing is one of the most popular activities in the Mleiha desert, where thrill seekers can race through the sands next to Fossil Rock.

Cultural festivals and heritage events in Sharjah

Sharjah’s cultural scene isn’t limited to heritage sites and craft initiatives either. The city’s annual Sharjah Heritage Days festival transforms its historic neighbourhoods into vibrant activity hubs where you can engage directly with traditional artisans, watch live demonstrations of traditional Talli weaving, and explore the full spectrum of Emirati craftsmanship.

These events aren’t just spectacles for tourists; they are integral to Sharjah’s cultural life, bringing communities together and allowing the skills of local artisans to be celebrated and shared.

Another highlight is the Sharjah International Book Fair, one of the world's largest book fairs and a symbol of Sharjah’s intellectual heritage.

This event attracts over a million visitors annually and showcases the city’s investment in the arts, literacy, and cultural exchange. Visitors can attend literary talks, workshops, and exhibitions, offering another layer to Sharjah’s multifaceted identity.

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Preservation through legislation and education

Sharjah’s dedication to preserving its arts, culture, and heritage is more than just celebrating tradition—it’s woven into policy and educational efforts to make it an incubator of Emirati heritage.

“We work together to achieve our strategic goals,” says Jasim Al Midfa, highlighting the collaborative commitment to cultural preservation shared by government bodies and private institutions in the city.

A major force behind this preservation is the Sharjah Art Foundation, which hosts public workshops and exhibitions teaching traditional Emirati crafts, from weaving to pottery.

These programmes unite artists of all ages, creating an intergenerational exchange that ensures traditional skills are passed down and evolve with contemporary influences.

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Experiencing Sharjah’s unique cultural appeal

In Sharjah, culture is a daily experience rather than an abstract idea. Visiting the old souks, you might see artisans teaching Arabic calligraphy or people practising pearl-diving traditions - activities that reflect the spirit of Emirati heritage.

“In the old Souq of Sharjah, they teach you how to write your name in Arabic,” says Jasim Al Midfa. “You’ll feel that you learnt something, and you’ll never forget that.”

Sharjah’s cultural landscape offers a distinctive, tangible link to the UAE’s heritage, providing an experience not easily found elsewhere.

It’s a destination where tradition and modernity coexist, and the dedication to preserving history creates something vibrant, engaging, and enduring.

Here, culture isn’t just a backdrop -it’s a living, evolving part of the city that invites you to explore and appreciate its multifaceted layers.