SIH praises success of Sharjah International Narrator Forum

October 02, 2025 / 2:39 PM

Sharjah24: Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum, affirmed that the 25th edition (Silver Jubilee), held under the theme “Tales of Travelers”, laid a strong foundation for a new phase in the forum’s journey. He extended his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his patronage, guidance, and continuous support of the forum and the Institute’s activities. He also expressed appreciation to the countries, organisations, and institutions that contributed to the forum’s success locally and internationally.

International participation and rich content

Al Musallam highlighted that this edition featured participants from 37 countries and more than 90 figures including storytellers, researchers, and academics. Among them were 33 storytellers, 56 participants in the scientific program, and three trainers delivering specialised workshops. The forum also hosted over 100 workshops and released 40 new books as part of the “Eyes of Journeys” series and the Arab Travel Blog. Collectively, these activities elevated the forum into a unique global event and a key reference for storytelling, travel literature, and narrative arts across ages.

Recommendations shaping the future

Six consecutive days of scientific discussions and intellectual seminars culminated in several vital recommendations forming the cornerstone for future editions. These include preparing a specialised encyclopedia of Arab travel literature, creating a comprehensive atlas of travelers’ tales, and using geographical manuscripts to reconstruct images of ancient cities. Recommendations also called for harnessing artificial intelligence to serve Arab and Islamic heritage, encouraging comparative studies with global travel literature, and involving university students in forum sessions to promote openness and knowledge exchange.

Innovative activities and honouring creatives

Aisha Rashid Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of the Arab Center for Cultural Heritage and General Coordinator of the Forum, explained that this year’s new initiatives included the launch of the Visual Storytelling Workshop, the Dialect Laboratory, and the first edition of the Narrator Program for adult storytellers. The forum also honoured prominent personalities, including His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr from the UAE (Honourary Personality), Dr Claudia Maria from Italy (Cultural Personality), as well as Loyalty Awards for Dr Ali Al Shaloubi from the UAE and Moroccan artist Amina Kousto.

Exhibitions and guest of honour

The forum showcased six specialised exhibitions, including “Tales of Travelers”, “Around the World” by Mohammed Al Murr, “Travel Literature” by Mohammed Sadiq, and works by artists Meera Al Qasimi, Ibrahim Al Buraidi, and Amina Kousto. The Maldives participated as Guest of Honour, presenting artistic and musical performances that reflected its heritage and its place in Arab travelers’ records.

A Memorable closing for the Silver Jubilee

The closing ceremony featured a cultural performance by a Maldivian troupe, followed by a short documentary highlighting the most notable moments of the forum. In a gesture of appreciation, Dr Al Musallam honoured strategic partners and participating institutions, including more than 11 cultural and academic organisations, such as the University of Sharjah, Zhejiang University in China, the Higher Institute of Folk Arts in Egypt, the University of Turin in Italy, Qatar National Library, and MBC Academy, along with local bodies like the Environment and Protected Areas Authority and the Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

Reinforcing Sharjah’s Global role in culture and heritage

Dr Al Musallam emphasised that this wide-ranging support reflects the commitment of cultural institutions and the local community to strengthening national identity and consolidating Sharjah’s status as a global beacon of culture and heritage.