Another interesting project that is soon to be an attraction is Sharjah’s open floating theatre. The new project that is a part of the ambitious projects promising to transform Sharjah’s east coast exclave of Kalba was revealed recently.

The theatre that is shaped like a sea shell surrounded by water basins is inspired by an idea from Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. He visited the city on Wednesday, where he inspected plans for several projects, including the theatre. He started the tour by visiting the site of the Al Kitab Rest Project.

“The theatre, with its distinctive and wonderful destination being linked to the corniche, will provide a complete view of the Kalba Corniche and the Arabian Sea,” read a report.

The floating theatre is part of series of projects that were announced in April, which also includes the restoration of one of Sharjah’s most historic houses. It also includes the construction of a clock tower roundabout and the opening of a revamped corniche, where the new theatre will sit.

The project aims to improve the lives of residents and also aims to bring Sharjah on the UAE’s tourist trail.

The site of the Al Kitab Rest Project is scheduled to open within a year. The rest house is located at one of the peaks of the Kalba Mountains at a height of about 1,000 meters above sea level. The site will be home to a restaurant, cafe, prayer rooms, multi-purpose hall, and children’s playground too. The structure will boast elements of Islamic architecture, topped off by a distinctive dome stretching 40 meters.

During the visit, Sheikh Dr. Sultan also approved the site designated for the construction of the livestock market and butchery and finished his tour by inspecting the Al Hafiya Lake project. The lake that is located to the west of Kalba, is set to hold 370,000 cubic meters of water at a depth of two meters, spanning 1,800 meters in length.

Previously, the Khor Kalba Fort also opened for visitors that boasts of excavated artifacts and it is believed the fort was built around 1745.

While the floating theatre is in the process of materialising, other projects in the series include the Kalba Heritage Museum, a sail-shaped institution that will be built on the seashore, and Heritage Mosque Square that opened in April. The Mosque Square showcases the heritage of the recently restored Saif bin Ghanim Mosque, one of Sharjah’s oldest places of worship. To pay tribute to Kalba’s seafaring tradition, it is built of coral and its roof is covered with palm fronds.