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Hoor Al Qasimi Awarded the French Republic’s Medal of Arts and Letters
The French Republic has awarded Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Art Foundation, the "Arts and Letters" medal (rank of Officer) in recognition of her significant contributions to contemporary art and her profound influence on the local and international artistic and cultural scene.
Nicolas Niemtchinow, the French Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, conferred the medal upon Sheikha Hoor during a ceremony held this morning at the Flying Saucer building in Sharjah, in the presence of Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Government Relations Department in Sharjah; Sheikha Noora Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation; Jean-Christophe Belliard, the French Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; Sheikha Nourah Al Mulla, Director of Education and Research at the Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikha Raad Fahim Al Qasimi, Secretary-General of the French International League in Sharjah; Stephanie Saleh, Cultural Cooperation and Action Advisor at the French Embassy in the UAE and Director of the French Institute in the UAE; Marie-Louise de Contelemy, Cultural Attaché at the French Embassy in the UAE; Audrey Lecéneur, Director of the French League in Sharjah; and Lauren Martinez Randi, Head of Culture and Communication at the French League in Sharjah.
In his speech, Niemtchinow emphasized that this honor acknowledges Al Qasimi's essential role in enhancing cultural and artistic cooperation between France and the UAE, reflecting the French nation's appreciation for her steadfast commitment to presenting an authentic cultural model. He stated, "We celebrate today an accomplished and generous career, as Sheikha Hoor has dedicated herself to serving the arts and culture. She is indeed one of the influential pioneers in developing the artistic scene in the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE, placing it on the international art map."
He added, "The chapters of this remarkable journey are reflected in the Sharjah Biennial and the Sharjah Art Foundation, which have transformed into a creative space for free expression in contemporary art and a prestigious platform that allows artists from various intellectual and cultural backgrounds to voice their messages."
Niemtchinow concluded his speech by saying, "It is an honor for all of us to be part of this recognition for an individual who carries a comprehensive and avant-garde vision and works to build a future where art and culture converge, establishing the foundations for genuine dialogue between peoples."
Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi expressed her happiness and deep gratitude for being honored with the Arts and Letters medal, one of the highest honors conferred by the French Republic. She said, "It is a great honor that I receive with appreciation and joy, not just for myself, but for everyone who stood by me, supported, guided, and inspired me throughout my journey. I especially mention my parents, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Family Council in Sharjah. Thanks to their limitless love and support, and their nurturing of culture and creativity from an early age, my love and passion for the arts blossomed, and culture became a constant commitment to progress and sharing knowledge, bridging distances between people."
She added, "For more than three decades, I have dedicated my life to my deep passion for the arts, especially contemporary art in all its forms and fields. Therefore, this award primarily recognizes the work achieved and celebrates the collective commitment that enables me to support and encourage the world of creativity in Sharjah."
Al Qasimi emphasized at the end of her speech that this exceptional moment in her career is just a continuation of her journey to enhance and enrich the artistic and cultural cooperation between Sharjah and France, in a continuous endeavor to preserve the creativity of past generations and support the talents of the future.
Biography – Hoor Al Qasimi
Hoor Al Qasimi is a curator and the President of the Sharjah Art Foundation, which she founded in 2009 to deepen its role as a supporter and promoter of the arts, not only in Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates but also at the regional and international levels. Driven by her passion for supporting experimentation and innovation in the arts, Hoor Al Qasimi has consistently sought to expand the foundation's scope to include major touring exhibitions, alongside programs for artist residencies and curatorial work in visual, cinematic, musical, and performing arts, supporting commissions and production grants for emerging artists, architectural research, and restoration, alongside offering diverse educational programs in the Emirate of Sharjah that cater to all age groups.
