Saudi Gazette

SHARJAH – A section at Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) called Barakat Al-Turath Initiative (Blessings of Heritage) is being praised for engaging senior citizens in the community and helping them stay active.

“We always do our best to attract as many as elderly people as we can to engage them through the community and to allow them to teach today’s generation from their experience. Here at SHD, senior citizens from both genders teach handicrafts, pottery, crochet and other activities,” said Aisha Ghabish, the Head of Public Relations at SHD.

“We started engaging the elderly since 2017 and this year, we have more than 20 men and women over the age of 60 who are weaving their magical skills and passing on their experience to young visitors,” she added.

Recently, Sharjah joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities as the first Arab city, and the age-friendly city at Sharjah Heritage Days is a positive reflection of its continuous strive to new beginnings.

Members of the age-friendly city not only highlight the rich heritage of the country through their hand-made offerings but also offer visitors a glimpse of how the elderly can add value to the community.

Held under the theme “With Heritage, We Rise”, Sharjah Heritage Days will run until April 21.