Khorfakkan takes centre stage
At the foot of Al Sayed Mountain, a new amphitheatre rises from the rock formation to provide a new cultural landmark.
By Rima Alsammarae
Perched above the Gulf of Oman, a colossal amphitheatre gleams bright, its stage set for a rich cultural future while invoking the timelessness and durability of the past.
The monumental 17,650-square-metre arena’s design mixes classic Romanesque and Middle Eastern elements, with columns, arches and geometric patterns. The amphitheatre, its scale and setting is part of a broad plan to unlock the tourism potential of the enclave on Sharjah’s eastern coast. Open-air events will host 3,600 spectators at a time; some 18,000 people visited the new landmark within a week of its opening.
The inaugural event on December 14 featured a two-hour film, Khorfakkan, based on a book by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, that documents the city’s valiant defiance of the Portuguese invasion of 1507. His Highness himself officiated at the opening.
“The Portuguese invasion is a little-known chapter of the UAE’s history, but the bravery and sacrifices of the city’s residents played a formative role in carving the foundations of our national identity,” said Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, director general of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, producer of the film. “The turnout for the screening attests to the fact that moments that shape history and connect the present with the legacy of the past leave a lasting impression on the current generation.”
The amphitheatre project was challenging not only for its size and location but also the incredibly short 11-month time frame. Designs were finalised in January 2020; the mountain was excavated and construction and finishing touches complete by December, despite restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Throughout the amphitheatre complex, Roman architectural influences blend with Middle Eastern design. Two sets of 11 columns stand before the imposing stone façade, which features 234 arches and 295 columns. Geometric patterns adorn surfaces and doors. Natural stone, marble imported from Oman, was used for the flooring, seating, elevations and the cladding for interior walls. Shipped as huge slabs it was cut and processed locally to meet the exacting schedule.
An 11-metre-wide waterfall cascades 45 metres down over rocks, mimicking the scenery on Khorfakkan’s mountains when it rains.
“The legacy of Roman architecture has left a lasting mark with its tradition, continuing to influence design, especially that of public buildings the world over,” says Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, which will manage the facility. “They were also great innovators who adopted new construction techniques, used new materials, and uniquely combined existing techniques with creative design to produce a whole range of new architectural structures, such as the basilica, triumphal arch, aqueduct and amphitheatre, among many others. The fact that many of the structures they built survive to this day is a testimony to their practicality, longevity and aesthetic value.”
Khorfakkan Amphitheatre incorporates those traits. Open to the salty breezes of the Gulf of Oman, it also has an air-cooling system built into the stone seats to allow year-round use. Energy efficient water chillers in dedicated service buildings are connected to the amphitheatre. Elevators provide access to those unable to use the integrated steps.
A huge plaza extends beyond the stage, encouraging visitors to step back and look up at the amphitheatre, especially at night, when it’s dramatically lit. While the amphitheatre is framed by the dominating Al Sayed moutainscape, the plaza extends outward towards the main street, like the outstretched arms of a bowing animal, announcing the landmark’s presence.
Leading to the semi-circular arena, large wooden double doors on either side of the plaza are decorated with stained glass panels and gold mashrabiya elements. To the left of the arena, and inside the building, a rectangular majlis containing large oriental rugs, olive green velvet seating, and a mosaic portrait of His Highness the Ruler, offers a meeting place for high-ranking officials and performing artists.
Angling from the top of the amphitheatre, an 11-metre-wide waterfall cascades 45 metres down over rocks, mimicking the scenery on Khorfakkan’s mountains when it rains. “It is a joy watching people gathering in front of it, taking pictures while children try to catch light sprays of water,” says Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed.
Near the top of the waterfall, an 80-seat restaurant and café would look just like a cave but for the spectacular views from its wall of windows. At the top of the complex, a pathway between the waterfall and restaurant offers sweeping views.
The venue is off to a roaring start. A New Year’s Eve concert featuring Emirati artist, and Khorfakkan native, Hussain Al Jassmi and Egyptian singer Angham sold out on announcement. Only 50% of the venue’s capacity was used under Covid-19 safety measures. But perhaps the star attraction was the venue itself.
His Highness the Ruler is committed to the development of the emirate’s cultural and artistic landscape, says Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed. “His Highness takes great pride in our rich Arab and Islamic heritage, our civilisational legacy. The amphitheatre goes a long way in realising his vision of bringing art and culture closer to the residents and visitors of the eastern region. It highlights the role of cultural and artistic centres in the comprehensive and sustainable development of Sharjah.”
Photos courtesy SHARJAH GOVERNMENT MEDIA BUREAU
