UAEBBY concludes illustration workshop in Casablanca

Participants from six Arab nations join hands in creativity
The workshop was held in partnership with the Moroccan Board on Books for Young People and CDA Gallery, and featured 14 illustrators: five from the UAE, five from Morocco, and four others from Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Tunisia. The participants were chosen based on meticulous professional and artistic criteria. The programme offered them a valuable opportunity to refine their skills and engage in both individual and group-based practical work, leading to the creation of visual projects suitable for exhibition and publication.

Expert-led sessions explore visual storytelling
Two leading figures in illustration and visual storytelling supervised the training: French illustrator Annie Courtieu, who conducted sessions on visual narrative techniques and scene construction, and Egyptian artist Walid Taher, who focused on the interplay between word and image and various approaches to expressing ideas visually. The training combined theoretical discussions, interactive presentations, and collaborative exercises that equipped participants to develop projects for children’s and young adult books.

Collaborative atmosphere fosters creativity and exchange
The workshop was characterised by a spirit of openness and collaboration. Participating illustrators exchanged experiences, discussed the artistic challenges of children’s book illustration, and explored ways to evolve their personal styles. The collaborative nature of the workshop also facilitated the formation of professional connections that quickly developed into promising creative partnerships with the potential for future joint projects.

Supporting the next generation of Arab illustrators
Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY, commented: “We are delighted to have organised this workshop to promote artistic and cultural exchange between Emirati and Moroccan illustrators, help develop their talents, and encourage cross-border visual dialogue. This stems from our belief in the importance of supporting the emerging generation of Arab artists and providing them with the tools they need to express their ideas and imagination with confidence and freedom.”

Al Aqroubi also highlighted the role of the “Warsha” programme in building the skills of young creatives working in writing, illustrating, and publishing children’s books that are deeply connected to local Arab cultural roots, while also meeting international quality standards. Whether through short stories, comics, or novels, these books provide young readers with gateways into imaginative worlds and help to cultivate a lasting love of reading.

Public exhibition concludes workshop in Casablanca
The workshop concluded with a public exhibition at CDA Gallery, showcasing the works produced by the participants. The pieces presented a variety of artistic interpretations based on themes inspired by folklore and local myths, using techniques including hand-drawing, collage, digital illustration, and experimental mixed media. This final showcase allowed each group to gain insights into the contemporary artistic approaches of their counterparts from other countries.

Warsha initiative continues to inspire Arab talents
Launched in 2013, the “Warsha” initiative is one of the region’s pioneering efforts to promote reading and highlight exceptional works by Arab authors, illustrators, and publishers. It plays an important role in supporting and inspiring a new generation of Arab creatives passionate about producing original Arabic books that are rich in content and imaginative value.