SMA opens doors for free on May 18 on International Museum Day

SHARJAH: Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is offering free admission to all of its museums on Saturday, May 18, in celebration of International Museum Day (IMD), held this year under the theme ‘Museums, Education and Research’.

This initiative underscores SMA’s commitment to promoting museums as vital educational and cultural hubs aligning with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has stated, “Museums are made to educate our children and our future generations.”

Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of SMA, highlighted the significance of the occasion. “Museums, ours in particular, are designed to serve all segments of society, offering unique and enriching educational and cultural experiences for everyone,” she said.

Museums across the world mark the global day on May 18 every year since it was first launched in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) with the aim of promoting the role of museums in cultural exchange and development.

With the occasion falling this coming weekend, visitors have the perfect opportunity to plan ahead and explore SMA’s museums within the city which cover a wide range of topics that collectively provide deeper insights into the rich history and cultural tapestry of Sharjah and the wider region.

A dedicated program for the celebration comprises ten interactive activities, special tours, workshops, and competitions targeting participants aged 13 and above.

Workshops by SMA museums include the ‘Word and Wool’ which educates participants on knitting while introducing them to traditional handicrafts historically practiced by women and connecting them with cultural heritage and ‘The Craft of Making Seals’, which delves into the process of creating stamps using the Musnad script. Participants in this workshop learn the vocabulary of the Musnad script and its Arabic equivalents, offering a unique insight into ancient writing systems and their modern-day applications.

The program also includes behind-the-scenes tours at Sharjah Aquarium, where participants can gain hands-on experience in fish care, feeding practices, and treatment procedures, enhancing their understanding of marine life management as well as ‘Creativity with Colours’ that promotes self-expression, allowing participants to create their own paintings.

Other captivating events lined up will help enrich participants’ educational and cultural experiences and make learning about varied topics including archaeology, heritage, art, science, and aviation, maritime history, Islamic civilisation, calligraphy, and much more, fun and accessible.

In addition to events by Sharjah city’s museums, visitors to Khor Fakkan, the ‘Best Arab Tourist City for 2023’, can explore the Authority’s 300-year-old Hisn Khor Fakkan, showcasing Sharjah’s east coast history and Kalba’s iconic Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi Museum, built in 1899, offering insights into pre-oil life and the region’s history with its preserved relics.

Pointing out the abundance and diversity of SMA’s museums offerings, Ms Aisha said: “Our museums have valuable knowledge to offer every visitor whether families, academics seeking insights, or individuals exploring historical interests.”

Various other offerings that reinforce the educational role of museums, include exhibitions, accessibility and community programs, the Museums Express initiative – a bus carrying museum exhibits to schools and public departments, and publications such as the Authority’s first purposed journal ‘Museums in the MENA Region’, a biennial free publication dedicated for highlighting the latest news, events and initiatives of the region’s museums.

In this year’s edition which will be launched on IMD, the journal covers the theme of museums and social media focusing on how museums have taken to social media to break boundaries and connect with a diverse global audience.

“Our vision is to be a cultural platform that enhances Sharjah’s identity locally and globally, and contributes to raising a community that is aware of the importance of museums as attractive and enjoyable cultural and educational destinations,” said Aisha.