The General Secretariat of Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage has announced that it will continue to receive submissions for the third edition of the Award until 1 April. It noted that since the opening of submissions on 30 December, applications have been steadily and notably increasing from researchers, academics, and specialists in the field of heritage. The third edition of the Award is held under the theme “Cultural Heritage – Human Communication,” which embodies a knowledge-based and humanistic value that encourages dialogue and interaction.
Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, stated: “We are proud of the significant turnout for the Award across its various fields and categories. This reflects its importance and standing among researchers and heritage practitioners, and also indicates the level of success achieved since the first edition, which was followed by increased participation in the second edition and now in the third cycle, as the submission period will close at the beginning of April.”
The Award comprises three main fields: Safeguarding Practices of Cultural Heritage Elements; Best Narrators and Bearers of Heritage (Living Human Treasures); and Best Research and Studies in Cultural Heritage, encompassing nine categories.
The Award primarily aims to contribute to honoring successful efforts and supporting inspiring initiatives—locally, regionally, and internationally—in the safeguarding of cultural heritage elements and ensuring their continuity. It also seeks to promote and recognize outstanding safeguarding practices in accordance with UNESCO’s standards in this field; document safeguarding practices and present them as exemplary models worldwide; support initiatives that ensure the viability and intergenerational transmission of cultural heritage; honor narrators (Living Human Treasures) and highlight their role in transmitting knowledge and expertise; identify oral traditions and heritage knowledge systems; and recognize outstanding scholarly and academic contributions in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
