The 25th edition of the Sharjah International Storytelling Festival is set to commence next Monday, running until September 26. This year’s event promises rich regional and international participation, highlighting the increasing global interest and engagement in storytelling. Celebrating its silver jubilee, the festival takes on the theme “Tales of Travelers,” featuring over 120 storytellers from 37 countries, both Arab and foreign. This remarkable cultural gathering encapsulates the art of narrative and revives the experiences of travel across different eras.
Diverse Programs and Activities
This edition of the festival boasts a wide-ranging program that includes live performances, exhibitions, workshops, and intellectual sessions. It serves as an interactive space for storytellers, researchers, and the public to connect. A key highlight is the special exhibition titled “Tales of Travelers,” which documents travel experiences and the diverse human and intellectual legacies they leave behind. Additionally, the festival will honor personal artifacts of this year’s honoree, His Excellency Mohammed Al Mar, a noted Emirati writer, storyteller, and traveler. Recognition will also be given to Dr. Ali Al Shalubi from the UAE and artist Amina Kawsto from Morocco with the Living Human Treasure Award, showcasing the festival’s cultural interests and intellectual journey.
Workshops and Literary Releases
The festival will feature over 40 workshops covering various aspects of storytelling and heritage, ranging from oral narration techniques to visual design workshops. These sessions provide participants and attendees with the chance to engage directly with the storytelling experience. Alongside these activities, 40 new publications will be launched, many focusing on travel literature, including the notable series “Eyes of Journeys,” which presents selections from Arabic travelogues, enriching both Arabic and global literature with high-quality works.
Intellectual Engagement and Cultural Exchange
This year’s intellectual program showcases the contributions of 45 researchers, experts, and academics from around the globe, divided into ten scientific sessions, lectures, and seminars that explore topics related to the art of storytelling and travel experiences. There will also be a dedicated section for signing new publications, merging theoretical knowledge with literary creativity. The festival has chosen the Maldives as the honored guest for this edition, aiming to shed light on its rich cultural heritage and human experiences related to the sea and journeys. This choice reflects the festival’s openness to global cultural diversity and expands its recognition initiatives to include the “Honor of Loyalty to Creators” initiative, celebrating pioneers who have played a vital role in preserving cultural heritage.
The Sharjah International Storytelling Festival, now in its silver jubilee, stands as a pivotal milestone in its 25-year journey, solidifying its reputation as an international platform for celebrating human memory and storytelling experiences. It reaffirms from Sharjah that storytelling continues to bridge the past and present while shaping a future brimming with knowledge and creativity.