Paris celebrated Arab culture and creativity as UNESCO honoured Moroccan producer Brahim El Mazned and Tanzania’s Dhow Countries Music Academy at the 21st Sharjah-UNESCO Award ceremony.
The French capital Paris hosted the 21st edition of the Sharjah-UNESCO Award for Arab Culture at UNESCO headquarters, celebrating individuals and institutions promoting Arab culture and intercultural dialogue worldwide.
The prestigious ceremony, organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture in partnership with UNESCO, honoured Moroccan cultural entrepreneur and producer Brahim El Mazned and the Dhow Countries Music Academy from Tanzania for their outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
The event drew senior officials, diplomats, artists and intellectuals from across the world, including UNESCO Director-General Dr Khaled El-Enany, UAE Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, UAE Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Ali Al Haj Al Ali and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Mubarak Al Nakhi.
Addressing the audience, Abdullah Al Owais highlighted the award’s journey since its launch in 1998, the same year Sharjah was named Arab Capital of Culture. He said the initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, continues to strengthen cultural dialogue and human understanding worldwide.
Al Owais described the partnership between Sharjah and UNESCO as one rooted in serving humanity through culture, adding that every edition of the award renews pride in honouring creators and intellectuals who build bridges between nations and civilisations.
UNESCO Director-General Dr Khaled El-Enany praised the sustained support of the Ruler of Sharjah, calling the award an inspiring model of cultural collaboration. He said creativity remains one of the strongest tools for uniting people and spreading knowledge, hope and shared human values.
Receiving the honour, Brahim El Mazned expressed gratitude to UNESCO and Sharjah, describing culture as a human and civilisational necessity rather than a luxury. He said music has always served as a universal language of peace and connection among peoples.
Representatives of the Dhow Countries Music Academy also thanked the Ruler of Sharjah for supporting creative initiatives globally. Based in Zanzibar, the academy has trained more than 3,250 students over the past two decades and works to preserve the musical heritage of the Swahili coast, especially traditional Taarab music.
Established in 1998, the Sharjah-UNESCO Award for Arab Culture annually recognises individuals, groups and institutions whose work advances awareness and appreciation of Arab arts and culture around the world.
