Abdul Aziz Al Musallam: Modernity key to preserving heritage

This message was delivered during a dialogue session titled “The Narrator in His Silver Jubilee: From Local to Global,” which featured the participation of Dr Aisha Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Director of the Arab Heritage Centre and General Coordinator of the Forum. The session, moderated by Professor Hind Khalifat, attracted a large audience of intellectuals, researchers, university students, and folk narrative enthusiasts.

The forum: A platform for cultural exchange
Al-Musallam highlighted that since its inception 25 years ago, the Sharjah International Narrator Forum has served as a bridge between cultures—initially attracting storytellers from the Gulf and Arab regions, and later from across the world. Today, it stands as a pioneering knowledge platform dedicated to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.

He emphasised Sharjah’s commitment to supporting and documenting traditional narratives, asserting that culture—including its heritage dimension—is a vital pillar of the Emirate’s international reputation, especially in cultural affairs.

Dr Al-Musallam also addressed the challenges traditional narrators face in the age of social media. He observed that some digital content creators manage to captivate audiences, despite often lacking credibility, while authentic narrators struggle to harness modern tools. He warned that popular memory risks fading into obscurity unless it is presented through renewed, relevant formats. He called for stronger partnerships and the strategic use of technology to make heritage engaging for newer generations.

An integrated project for research and documentation
The President of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage explained that the forum has evolved beyond being a platform for dialogue. It now serves as a comprehensive research and documentation project—producing academic publications and encyclopedias on stories and storytellers, and hosting workshops and training programs to cultivate a new generation of narrators.

He further noted the forum’s role in shaping UNESCO dialogues on intangible heritage, enhancing the global standing of oral traditions. Locally, he acknowledged the substantial support storytellers receive—including social care and housing—in recognition of their role in preserving cultural memory.

Al-Musallam emphasized that today’s storyteller is not just a witness to the past, but a vibrant symbol of identity, capable of contributing to a modern cultural discourse that balances heritage and innovation.

Women and the shared human story
Dr Aisha Al-Hussan Al-Shamsi, in turn, affirmed that storytelling is a creative pursuit shared by all of humanity, not confined by gender. She noted that women today are empowered to travel and document their experiences using modern tools. She also pointed out the universal nature of folk tales, with similar stories appearing across different cultures—citing “Cinderella” as an example of a tale told in varying forms around the world.

The power of translation in cultural exchange
Dr Aisha underscored the importance of translation in spreading folk narratives globally. However, she emphasized that translations must be handled by individuals who are passionate about heritage, to preserve the soul of the original texts.

She shared that the forum has actively worked to introduce storytelling into schools and educational settings, with some narrators now visiting classrooms to share stories directly with students—a powerful way to connect youth with their cultural roots.

Discussing the forum’s future, Al Shamsi stressed its importance and continuity. She highlighted the need to utilise artificial intelligence to archive and analyse stories, and even suggested incorporating science fiction elements to make performances more appealing to younger audiences. At the same time, she stressed the importance of staying true to the core of authentic storytelling traditions.

She concluded by describing the Sharjah International Narrator Forum as a global cultural mosaic—bringing together storytellers from various backgrounds to share in a collective human narrative that enriches the present and builds a vibrant future for narrative heritage. She emphasized that what has been achieved in the past 25 years marks only the beginning of a broader journey toward global cultural integration.