Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, witnessed, on Thursday morning, the launch of the ninth edition of the International Festival of Photography, in the Al -Jada area in Sharjah, which will continue until February 26, with the participation of 420 photographers, filmmakers and expert in industry Photography from 48 countries, under the slogan nothing larger than the image.
The opening ceremony started with the national peace of the United Arab Emirates, after which Tariq Saeed Allai, Director General of the Media Office of the Sharjah Government, delivered a speech in which he indicated the pivotal role of the image in documenting the truth and communicating human feelings, and human being attached to it as an amazing optical shroud for a long time, saying: When Man took the first photo in 1826, the photography was not just a click of a button as it is today, but the process was complicated, It requires long hours of equipment and patience. During this period, taking the first 50 pictures in the world was considered an amazing scientific and artistic achievement, reflecting what is hidden in the other world. Last year alone, about a trillion image was taken around the world. These numbers, if it indicates something, indicates the innate person of man towards documentation, expression, and memorization of memories.
Alla pointed out to the privacy of the camera and the image in documenting the rare human moment and the role of photographers in this, pointing to an experience comparing artificial intelligence and man in taking a specific picture, saying: We asked artificial intelligence to generate a picture of the Afghan Mona Lisa, and another for the child Ilan, who killed the war victim In Syria, every time we were getting unconvincing simulation For emotions and feelings if we compare them in the real way. From here, the lenses of those who travel to the most difficult places are the ones that give the image their true strength, they are waiting for the moment, deepening the lives of others to convey to us scenes that shake our feelings, move and inspire us. In this context, we do not say that artificial intelligence is not useful or that it has no place in our future, but rather the opposite, it is a powerful tool that helps in research, analysis, and innovation, but it will never be able to replace the eye, spirit, and human feelings.
At the end of his speech, the Director General of the Media Office of the Sharjah Government pointed to the goals and influence of Express in encouraging international artists, and to celebrate deep experiences in the art of photography by honoring the distinguished ones, saying: starting from our goals since the launch of Express, we are here today to honor the artists whose lenses exceed the limits of technology, Let us celebrate those who return humanity its concept, not only with the camera, but also With their hearts, patience and souls. And anywhere I deserve to host this celebration of Sharjah, the emirate that has always been a beacon of culture, literature, and arts.
His Highness the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and the attendees watched a visual presentation that highlighted the strength of the image in documenting reality and influencing human awareness, through a narration that compared the vision between the image and life, where the (pixels) constitute the basic unit of each image, just as the cells represent the basic unit of each living being And through this interconnection, the film highlights the harmony of small details that make the full image, whether in art or nature, and how Both contribute to highlighting the beauty of life. The film was included in a show paragraph that combined poetic and lyrical performance, which gave an interactive artistic dimension to the experience, as cinematic scenes interfered with the live live review from a group of dancers on the ground accompanied Words, reinforced by global communication. The show celebrated the role of the image in bringing about change and inspiration for the world, as the display reflected the Sharjah Questions based on knowledge and culture, highlighting the importance of the arts in enriching the cultural scene of the emirate.
Glenn Jainor, director of production in the original Amazon Film Department, delivered an inspiring letter, praising the Sharjah vision that is based on knowledge and education, which I qualified to be a center for spreading wisdom and culture worldwide by supporting the arts of various kinds and establishing art festivals, pointing out that the pictures And films are not just documentary tools, but windows on the world carry a profound impact on the understanding of things around us.
Gainor explained that behind the words is a global language that does not know borders, which is the image, which has a unique power to ship and inspire through the visual narration, and pointed out that Expogger has become a distinct platform that carries the vision of Sharjah to the world, where ideas and cultures meet and embody common values, in particular In environmental issues such as climate change and nature, which reflects the common future of humans.
Gainor added that the artistic values he feels in Express reflects excellence and creativity, which corresponds to his long experience in filmmaking, as he witnessed the transformations that took place on the industry, starting from relying on traditional materials to modern technologies that redefined the role of the animated and photographic image on Etchy.
The director of production in the original Amazon Film Department indicated that the world of the image has changed with digital developments and new platforms on the Internet such as YouTube, which opened the way for new voices from all over the world. He said // We live today in an era in which cultures overlap, and peoples participate in a global dialogue through the image, which enhances the splendor of human intelligence, and expands the horizons of the visual narration to wider areas. Jainor concluded his speech by emphasizing that the search for the truth through lenses has become a global inspiration, and that the images are not just tools that preserve creativity, but carry the voices of people from different cultures to the world, as each story has the ability to build bridges and promote joint human dialogue.
For his part, the photographer and environmental activist Sebastian Colblend gave an inspiring speech in which he dealt with the effect of climate change on polar ice, reviewing his experience in leading 27 exploratory missions in the polar areas by traveling to more than 10 thousand kilometers on skis, on trips to document environmental transformations in the most isolated places on the ground , Where the plastic found there to be a clear message that the pollution is in Everywhere in the world.
Cobleland pointed out that the climate change affects everyone and reaches them as it does not recognize the borders, but rather affects all parts of the world, explaining that the high temperatures led to the disturbance of environmental systems, which affected the paths of migratory birds and the decline in the numbers of living organisms that are the basis of the food chain, pointing out. Until these climate changes are pushing towards mass migration waves as a result of environmental repercussions Harsh, such as drought and food insecurity.
Cobleland praised during his speech the UAE’s efforts in its environmental initiatives, especially its ambitious plans to counter climate change until 2050, which represents a global model for sustainable development, as knowledge is a lifeline for humanity, and that photographers have a great responsibility in documenting these environmental issues, noting that The image is not just an effective tool in raising awareness, but rather plays a pivotal role in influencing global decisions. He stressed the importance of preserving the criteria for honesty in the era of artificial intelligence, to ensure the transfer of facts without falsification or distortion of reality.
After the end of the opening ceremony, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi toured the corridors of the festival, where he reviewed the various art galleries included in Express, which highlights various aspects of the visual narration, from documentary, journalistic, cultural, sports, movement, nature photography, wildlife, portrait, nature, environmental and human photography And other exhibitions.
During the tour, the Deputy Skid listened to a detailed explanation from the participants about their work, the techniques used in their production, and the messages they reflect, and His Highness also met the program of activities and training workshops presented by the festival to support and develop the skills of photographers.
Expogers gives lovers of photography and visual narration an integrated experience that extends for seven days, including specialized workshops, dialogue sessions, and cinematic shows, as well as artwork evaluation sessions and group discussions. The festival also provides visitors with an opportunity to take advice tours and attend the fourth session of the environmental summit, which highlights the role of the image in documenting environmental issues and enhancing global awareness.
The opening of the festival was attended by His Highness the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah: Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, head of the office of His Highness Al -Hakim, Sheikh Saud bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, and Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director General of the Foundation of the quarter of a century for the leadership industry and innovators, And Sheikh Salem bin Muhammad bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Commercial and Tourist Development Authority, and Sheikh Eng. Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Director of the Department Municipal Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Butti Al Hamid, head of the National Media Office, His Excellency Maryam Mouini, the first lady, the head of His Excellency, the head of the Zanzibar region, and a number of senior officials, photographers and media professionals.
