SIH discusses hosting Guatemala in World Heritage Weeks

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) recently received a high-level delegation from the Republic of Guatemala, to discuss hosting the nation in the World Heritage Weeks Programme, organised by SIH during the period from 15th to 19th November.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), received Atsum Moscoso, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala, and Lars Pera Pérez, Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the United Arab Emirates.

This week-long celebration takes place at the Cultural Heritage Centre in Sharjah, and includes activities such as presentations of traditional crafts, folk arts, traditional cooking, folk games, and exhibitions of pictures or drawings, in addition to documentaries on the heritage of the guest country.

The meeting focused on many important aspects of the event, which is an opportunity to highlight the common heritage and cultural aspects between the two countries, and to honour the rich and diverse heritage of the Republic of Guatemala.

Moscoso officially invited the SIH to visit her country to experience all that Guatemala has to offer, then expressed her pleasure at embarking on this long and fruitful journey of the friendship that binds the country with the UAE, adding that this is an excellent opportunity to enhance cultural exchange and strengthening relations in the future.

The Guatemalan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke about the rich history of her country, which is 3,000 years old, and highlighted the great diversity in the languages of the country’s population, which add up to 21 languages, and pointed to the similarities between Guatemala and the UAE, citing the different Arabic dialects that she has observed during her stay in the country so far.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam stated that SIH is honoured to be invited to visit the Republic of Guatemala, which has a rich heritage at the heart of Latin American heritage.

He added, “The SIH is constantly seeking to strengthen its relationship with Central and South American countries, starting with a tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil last year, SIH will visit Guadalajara in Mexico next year. This year SIH is excited to visit Guatemala.”

The SIH Chairman concluded, “Guatemala is distinguished by its open and friendly people, and SIH is excited to host and celebrate the heritage of this beautiful country in Sharjah, and to introduce the people of the UAE to the products, crafts, arts, customs and traditions that make up Guatemala’s heritage, especially coffee and cardamom, which are its main exports, along with many other ingredients that it combines with the original heritage of the UAE.”