Business & Money | Sunday 13 November, 2016 3:51 pm |

Mega Mall Sharjah, the Emirate’s leading shopping destination, concluded yesterday the sixth edition of the Sharjah Stamp Exhibition 2016, which took place between 8-12 of November. The closing ceremony – held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry- was attended by the exhibition’s participants, guests, journalists, and Mega Mall’s officials.

 

In cooperation with the Emirates Philatelic Association (EPA), Mega Mall’s management honoured exhibition participants, organisers, jurors, and journalists, for their efforts in rendering the event a successful and a fruitful one.

 

Addressing guests and attendees at the ceremony, EPA President Abdullah Khory extended his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unhindered support for culture and heritage.

 

Khory also thanked Mega Mall’s management for their support and efforts, which significantly contributed to the success of the exhibition, attracting a large public segment of audience to promote, encourage, and develop philately.

 

Jenny Banfield, member of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand and a key participant in the exhibition, thanked the UAE and its wise leadership for their generous welcoming. Banfield commended exhibition organisers for their efforts to revive, promote, and underline the importance of philately and stamp collecting as a genuine hobby that preserves social and cultural heritage.

 

This year’s edition, in which more than 240 collectors and philatelists took part, witnessed a high turnout compared to previous years. The exhibition, organised in cooperation with the EPA, featured unique collections of stamps, rare coins, and other collectibles, reflecting the heritage, history, and cultures of different countries. It also highlighted the role played by stamps in persevering heritage.

 

“It was our pleasure to host the Sixth Edition of the Sharjah 2016 Stamp Exhibition, which attracted large audience and influential collectors of stamps. The exhibition was an ideal cultural and social platform, educating visitors on milestones in the history and cultures of the UAE as well as other countries in the regions and around the world,” said Mega Mall Marketing Manager, Mohammed Sorour.

 

“A stamp is a testament to history, therefore, it is our duty to organise initiatives and activities promoting stamp collecting and philately, which hold great cultural and heritage value, and document key historical events,” Sorour added.

 

He emphasised the important role the exhibition plays in promoting tourism and retail trade in Sharjah. And reiterated Mega Mall’s keenness to host the event every year.

 

The five-day event attracted many stamp hobbyists, who inspected an array of stamps at the exhibition, where participants swapped, traded, and acquired rare stamps, coins, and banknotes. An auction featuring rare postal stamps also took place on the side-lines of the exhibition.

 

Participants and visitors commended the annual event as one of the most important cultural activities in Sharjah that effectively promotes and encourages a culture of philately and stamp collecting -- a significant form of human communication. They said they were determined to revive the glory of philately and stamp collecting.

 

The exhibition brought together stamp hobbyists and philatelists from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, the UK, France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, India, and Pakistan.