His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the 22nd edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF) under the theme “Sea Tales”.

Held at the Expo Centre Sharjah from 21st to 23rd September, the forum is expected to draw interest and participation across the region and internationally.

Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the SINF emphasized the importance of support from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for honoring local Emirati and Arab culture. He highlighted the role creative symbols have in creating a sense of national identity and encouraging cohesion between generations based on pride and heritage. He also stressed the importance of reviewing the close relationship between Emiratis and the sea, how their lives are intertwined, and how this led to the creation of folk and fairy tales.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam expressed his appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and guests for attending the opening ceremony. “The new edition of SINF celebrates the rich and diverse Emirati, Arab and human heritage and dives into the depths of the sea, where we visit exotic and miraculous worlds together. It highlights the importance of imagination and the representation of symbols of tales and their significance today.  It symbolizes the relationship between humans and the sea, as it appears in tales, proverbs, arts, crafts, and other elements of Emirati heritage”, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam said. 

This year, the SINF will attract more than 160 participants, including experts, researchers, storytellers, and media professionals from 46 countries, to participate in many cultural and intellectual programs, training workshops, and public events. 

It includes 13 workshops, three proactive workshops, and ten workshops during the forum involving elite researchers, experts, and students. The forum also features the SINF Café, the SINF Library, the Signatures and Releases Corner, and a valuable repertoire of 40 books, publications, and brochures.

At the “Sailor Tales” corner, you can watch a production of marine heritage songs that form part of the popular maritime history of the United Arab Emirates.

Other attendees of the opening ceremony and tour included Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office, Sheikh Salem bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; and Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, attended the opening ceremony, along with several officials in local government departments, artists from various Arab countries, those interested in heritage and media professionals.

The forum continues.

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Sh.Otaboyev, photos by N.Abduvoitov, UzA