ArtDayME: In an exceptional cultural and artistic atmosphere, the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation in Fujairah, UAE organized the award ceremony for the winners of the fourth edition of the Fujairah International Calligraphy and Ornamentation Competition, under the generous patronage and with the distinguished presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah. This artistic initiative reaffirmed Fujairah’s position as a hub for creativity and a center for cultural and artistic dialogue. The ceremony was honored by the attendance of Sheikh Mohammed, who personally presented awards to the winners across various categories, reflecting his continuous support for the arts and creative talents, as well as his commitment to strengthening the presence of Islamic arts at both local and international levels.

The award ceremony featured a distinctive artistic segment presented by Darat Al-Shi'r (The Poetry House), which explored the life and creative legacy of the poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam. Presented as part of the competition’s accompanying cultural program, this segment added a profound literary dimension and a unique aesthetic to the opening of the event, emphasizing the integration of the arts between word, color, and letter. His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah also toured the accompanying exhibition, where he viewed the winning works and the outstanding artistic experiences showcased in the fields of calligraphy, ornamentation, and miniature painting. These works reflected the diversity of artistic schools, the richness of creative visions, and the high level of professionalism demonstrated by the participants.

This year, the competition reached new horizons with global participation exceeding 500 artists from 30 countries, including 16 Arab countries, alongside a distinguished Emirati presence that underscored the development of the national art movement and the continued support for local talents. An international jury composed of leading calligraphers and ornamentation artists oversaw the evaluation of the submitted works according to precise criteria that combined authenticity, creativity, and technical mastery, selecting works that embody a contemporary vision and add genuine value to the global artistic scene.

The current edition was inspired by the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, with calligraphy works reflecting the spirit of the poetic texts, while the ornamentation and miniature categories drew their visual elements from the aesthetic qualities of these quatrains. The result was a body of artworks that blended poetry with color and spirit with composition, creating a rich visual dialogue between literature and art.

On the day following the awards ceremony, a series of accompanying artistic and cultural panel discussions were held as part of the competition, attended by a select group of artists, calligraphers, and enthusiasts of Islamic arts. These sessions formed an intellectual platform for the exchange of expertise and the discussion of specialized artistic topics. The panels addressed a range of themes, including the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy between tradition and contemporaneity, the art of gilding and ornamentation and its modern techniques, schools of miniature art between divergence and convergence, the art of Nastaliq and Siyah Mashq (black practice), in addition to an interactive session titled “Yalla Nahki Khat.”

These discussions contributed significantly to deepening artistic dialogue and enriching the cultural experience of participants, enhancing contemporary understanding of Islamic arts while preserving their authenticity. Through such initiatives, the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation continues its mission of empowering a new generation of artists, reviving the aesthetics of Arabic manuscripts, and reinforcing their role in preserving Islamic artistic heritage.

With the scope of participation expanding year after year, the Fujairah International Calligraphy and Ornamentation Competition has firmly established itself as one of the most prominent specialized international art events, and as a cultural platform that bridges authenticity and innovation while contributing to the visibility of Islamic arts within the global cultural landscape.

Some of this year’s award winners include Sana Nezam, Mehdi Zamani Boloukani, Mohammed Mohammed Abdelaziz Abdulrahman, Kiarash Yaghoubi, Samaneh Heshmat-ol-Dousti Nia, Zeinab Fereydoun Rahnama Sarmali, Amirhossein Ali Aghamiri, Hamed Faghihi, Hamideh Jokar, Seyed Alireza Matlabi, Mostafa Falouh, Kouthar El-Moudani, Yousef Sossey Alaoui, Mohamed Gaber Elsayed, Monir Tahraoui, and Abdurazzak Karaka.