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Arabic Calligraphy meet planned

SHARJAH - The Sharjah Department of Culture and Information (SDCI) will organise a month-long International Biennial for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy beginning from May 5 to June 5.

The event, which will take place at Sharjah Museum for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy and Ornamentation, will be held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Addressing a Press conference held at SDCI premises, Shaikh Isam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of SDCI said that the event aims at developing and preserving the art of Arabic calligraphy which is considered as heritage, as well as enhancing and supporting the studies and researches conducted on Arabic calligraphy.

Mr Abdullah Al Oais, Director-General of SDCI said that the biennial would feature general and individual exhibitions as well as several activities, including a forum on Arabic calligraphy, art workshops, competitions as well as a honouring ceremony for the participants.

Hisham Al Madhloum, Manager of Directorate of Art said that the organising committee sent invitations to more than 265 artists from various countries of the world, but only 166 participants from the Islamic and western countries responded by participating in the general exhibition. He added that the committee received 491 art works and 31 researches from various artists from the UAE, Arab and western countries to be exhibited during the biennial.

Mr Al Madhloum pointed out that grand prize and three small prizes will be presented to the winner artists of the art competition during the event. "The grand prize is worth Dh 25,000 while the three small prizes are worth Dh10,000 each," he added.

Mr Al Madhloum said that on the concluding day, Dr Shaikh Sultan would honour three artists and critics as well as two artistic institutions to be selected by the committee.