Writers at SIBF: storytelling is the memory of nations

This came during a seminar entitled “Preserving Culture and Heritage Through Storytelling,” as part of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair. The panel included Shazia Khan, Bashayer Al Essa, and Dr Ahmed Al Khouri, who discussed the role of narrative in consolidating values, strengthening cultural identity, and transmitting heritage in a way that combines education and creativity.

 

 

Author Shazia Khan began by saying that her experience writing children's stories stemmed from her work in education within a multicultural environment. She explained that she noticed a lack of English-language books reflecting the details of daily life in the UAE. She added, "I was looking for stories in which children could see themselves, so I wrote works set in homes, farms, and the desert, celebrating local customs such as generosity and hospitality." She emphasised that stories can make reading an extension of life, not a separation from it.

 

 

For her part, author Bashayer Al Essa spoke about her experience writing in the Gulf dialect. She believes that using everyday language brings children closer to the story and strengthens their sense of belonging. She said, "I noticed that my children didn't engage with printed Arabic stories because their vocabulary was unfamiliar to them. So, I decided to write in the dialect they hear at home, so they could become familiar with their local language and discover the diversity of Gulf dialects." She stressed that the educational value of the text does not conflict with the dialect, but rather complements it in building identity.

 

 

As for the writer Dr Ahmed Al Khouri, he revisited key moments in the UAE's history and its transformations since the 1950s, saying, "I lived through the UAE's journey from the desert to the present, and I wanted to document it in my book, 'Where the Sun Never Sets,' because collective memory needs someone to narrate it to future generations." He added that storytelling remains the deepest bridge between the past and the present, preserving the memory of a place and instilling a sense of belonging. He emphasized, "We must tell our children what the UAE was like before oil, and how its renaissance was built through determination and unity, for stories solidify what documents cannot."

 

At the end of the session, the participants agreed on the importance of integrating storytelling into educational curricula and expanding the presence of local tales in schools. They affirmed that storytelling is not a cultural luxury, but rather a tool for building awareness and preserving national memory, because nations that tell their stories remain capable of renewing themselves in the hearts and minds of their children.