The Sharjah Institute of Heritage, SIH, announced that the 18th edition of the Sharjah International Narrators Forum, SINF, will begin on 24th of September and will take place at Sharjah Expo.

Encouraging participation from world’s renowned narrators, the SINF focusses on creatives and artwork of these well-established artists. With a constant aim to develop and boost the forum, one of the main objectives of the SINF is to align with UNESCO objectives, which aim to safeguard the artistic creations of these living icons.

The 18th edition will consist of a rich and distinct programme, as well as feature discrete events including an intellectual symposium focussing on old Arabic narration, workshops and roundtables.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the SIH, revealed that this year’s edition will be held under the theme "Fairy Tales". "It is an honour to host the 18th edition of Sharjah International Narrators Forum. Over the years, the forum has served as an important platform to resonate the narrators and storytellers in today’s society. This year, the Sharjah International Narrators Forum looks to interact and share experiences of some of the world’s renowned narrators and appreciate their skills and unique ability to create emotions. Taking this as an opportunity, I encourage all of you to be a part of this distinct Forum and learn about the magic of words, through simplistic narrations," he said.

Dr Al Musallam, also highlighted the SINF’s continued efforts to develop the heritage event across various fields, commending the unswerving support of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Aimed to highlight the importance of narrators, the SINF this year will feature storytellers, performers narrators and experts from different countries which will be announced shortly.

"Heritage and culture form an important element of the UAE, and Sharjah in particular. While the forum will serve as a strategic platform to acknowledge and recognise the narrators and storytellers’ unique skills, it will also tell the tale of heritage in Sharjah and the story of the land and its people delivered by word, melody, popular knowledge and tradition," Dr Al Musallam said in conclusion.

Aimed at commemorating the art of storytelling and promoting the rich and diversified cultural heritage of the emirate, the SINF is an effort to honour well-known narrators and storytellers who have made significant contributions to the promotion of narration, poetry and the Arab heritage.