Sharjah Art Foundation is diving deep into the sounds of the past with a fascinating new project that calls on residents of the UAE to contribute personal cassette tapes. From family messages to mixtapes, these tapes—capturing everything from migration stories to casual conversations—offer a nostalgic glimpse into the region’s changing dynamics over the last few decades. Whether you’re sitting on an old cassette from the ’70s or one from the turn of the millennium, Sharjah Art Foundation is inviting you to be a part of preserving this rich auditory history.
The Foundation’s open call is looking for tapes that document the heartfelt voices of families separated by distance, whether it be for work or migration, especially in the Gulf region. Tapes filled with songs, mixtapes, voice letters, and even casual conversations that reflect everyday life and celebrations are sought after. These recordings serve as cultural artifacts that provide insight into shifting attitudes, the evolution of communication, and broader socio-economic transformations.
Set between 1970 and 2000, these cassette tapes capture an era when the voice was one of the few ways to bridge vast distances. The collection will include tapes in a variety of languages, such as Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, and others, making this a truly multicultural project. And for those who contribute, rest assured that your tapes will be digitized and returned, preserving the original while ensuring its place in the digital archive.
As a cultural hub in the UAE, Sharjah is a fitting home for this auditory preservation project. Known for its dedication to the arts and its historical significance, the Emirate continues to foster connections between local traditions and the global contemporary art world. In fact, Sharjah was designated UNESCO’s ‘Arab Capital of Culture’ in 1998.
So, if you have a cassette tape tucked away that’s a piece of history, now’s the time to share it. Whether it’s a conversation, a song, or a simple voice note, these tapes are vital links to understanding the transformation of the regionand the people who call it home.
Submit your tapes before May 8, 2025, and help preserve this unique chapter in the UAE’s cultural journey. To contribute or learn more, head over to sharjahart.org.
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