Words By Allegra Salvadori
At the crossroads of heritage and innovation, Sharjah unveils a new chapter in its cultural narrative. Inside the architectural calm of the House of Wisdom, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi revealed Sharjah: The Capital of Culture — a collector’s edition created in collaboration with Assouline, the Paris-born luxury publisher celebrated for turning destinations into design objects.
A Celebration of Culture, Craft, and Collective Memory
The launch unfolded like an experience rather than an event. Guests wandered through 3D architectural displays and sculptural art installations curated with the Sharjah Art Foundation; the air carried the rhythm of Emirati music, the movement of live calligraphy by Oday Ibrahim Al Shalah, and the aroma of dishes crafted by Chef Meera Al Naqbi, the first Emirati Michelin-starred chef. Every detail — from lighting to soundscape — was designed to echo Sharjah’s identity: rooted in tradition, yet constantly reimagined through creativity.
This multisensory celebration mirrored the spirit of the book itself — a visually rich chronicle that captures how Sharjah has evolved into a global cultural capital, where architecture, literature, environment, and craftsmanship coexist in harmony.
Seven Chapters of a Living City
Through seven chapters — architecture, art, education, environment, literature, museums, and craftsmanship — the book traces Sharjah’s transformation into a modern hub that honours its past while shaping its future. It features emblematic landmarks such as Heart of Sharjah, Sharjah Mosque, Mleiha National Park, and the House of Wisdom, alongside milestones like UNESCO’s recognition of the Faya Palaeolandscape, and Sharjah’s international titles as Cultural Capital of the Arab World (1998) and World Book Capital (2019).
In her address, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi reflected on the emirate’s ongoing journey:
“Sharjah’s cultural path continues to bridge heritage and innovation, illuminating the world through knowledge, creativity, and human connection.”
A Dialogue Between Tradition and Design
The collaboration marks the second partnership between Shurooq and Assouline, following Mleiha: Ancient Treasures of the UAE (2024). For both entities, storytelling becomes a form of preservation — an art that translates identity into imagery and narrative.
“This book stands as a representation of Sharjah’s vision, where culture, heritage, and knowledge form the pillars of progress,” said H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq.
For Prosper Assouline, Co-Founder of Assouline, the project is “a true honour — a reflection of a city that deeply cherishes its heritage while embracing modern experiences that reveal its vibrant spirit.”
Culture as a Collector’s Object
Printed in Assouline’s signature large-format style, Sharjah: The Capital of Culture reads like both a literary archive and a visual journey. The photographs reveal Sharjah’s poetic landscapes and architecture — from coral-stone heritage houses to sleek contemporary museums — while the text situates them within a narrative of knowledge, sustainability, and design-driven progress.
More than a book, it is an invitation to view the emirate as a living museum, where every structure, page, and initiative speaks of curiosity and continuity.
Available at the House of Wisdom, Assouline.com, and select international bookstores, the publication transforms Sharjah’s story into an object of desire — one that embodies the timeless dialogue between heritage and innovation, and reaffirms the emirate’s place on the global cultural map.
