The City and the Writer: In Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, with Ali Al Ameri
Ali Al Ameri. Photo by Satish Kumar.
If each city is like a game of chess, the day when I have learned the rules, I shall finally possess my empire, even if I shall never succeed in knowing all the cities it contains. Italo Calvino,
Can you describe the mood of Sharjah as you feel/see it?
I am deeply connected to the tempo and pulse of the city, where the rhythms of the sea, desert, and urbanity create a diversity of life and culture. Residents from all continents can be found here. There is a myriad of cultural and artistic events, namely the Book Fair, the Biennial of Arts, the Children s Reading Festival, Theatre Days, the Festival of Lights, Heritage Days, and the Arab Poetry Festival. The name of the city stems from its location in the far east of the UAE, which is associated with sunrise. Archaeological excavations indicate the existence of an ancient civilization dating back to the fifth centur