Today's Edition
SHARJAH (ALETIHAD)
As part of the ongoing efforts of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, established with the support and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, to empower women and preserve traditional crafts, the Irthi Skills Development Centre-Kalba has continued to play a vital role since its opening in 2022.
The Centre serves as a dedicated platform for women who wish to learn and develop Emirati crafts within an integrated framework focused on economic empowerment, heritage preservation, and transforming craft into a sustainable source of income.
The Centre was established to meet the local community's needs and offers a supportive environment for knowledge exchange, skill development, and training. It also opens pathways for craftswomen to access both local and international markets.
Year-Round Workshops and Training Programmes
Throughout the year, the Centre delivers specialised workshops and training programmes in Emirati crafts. These range from short-term workshops lasting one week to intensive programmes extending up to three months, following a structured training approach that ensures quality outcomes and long-term knowledge retention.
Since its establishment, the Centre has conducted 18 workshops and engaged 179 enrolled craftswomen, reflecting the growing demand for its programmes and its impact in supporting women artisans.
In addition to Emirati craft training, the Centre offers a variety of programmes across different craft disciplines, including Pakistani embroidery and a specialised programme in extracting and dyeing palm fibres.
The latter was delivered in collaboration with Dutch designer Tjeerd Veenhoven, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening contemporary craft practices rooted in natural materials.
Beyond vocational training, the Centre also implements awareness programmes in partnership with institutions in Kalba that address health, nutrition, and physiotherapy. This holistic approach supports craftswomen both professionally and personally, helping create a balanced environment that enhances their well-being and long-term productivity.
Future Plans and Continued Growth
The manager of Irthi Skills Development Centre, Sharifa Al Dhuhoori, commented on the Centre's vision, "We are committed to providing an integrated environment that enables craftswomen to refine their skills and practise their crafts within a sustainable professional framework. We also aim to attract more participants to our workshops and to build a new generation of young artisans to ensure the continuity of traditional crafts across generations."
She added that the Centre's programmes are designed in response to local community needs, reinforcing the presence of traditional crafts while presenting them in a contemporary format.
Looking ahead, the Centre is preparing to launch Sadu weaving training programme, one of the most renowned traditional Emirati textile arts, alongside a specialised palm frond braiding programme in collaboration with the Valorizen Foundation in Egypt. These initiatives reflect the Centre's commitment to diversifying its programmes and strengthening regional cooperation in the field of crafts.
This work aligns with the broader mission of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council to empower craftswomen, preserve heritage crafts, and reintroduce them in contemporary contexts that meet market demands while strengthening the global presence of Emirati craftsmanship. The Council believes that craft is not only a cultural legacy, but also a sustainable economic opportunity for women.
