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

The opening ceremony highlighted verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a visual presentation that embodied the concept of this year’s theme, which brings together sea stories and the prosperous history of Arab Countries.

During the tour of the event, His Highness, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, followed a segment on the art of the Nahma, presented by a group of artists. Along with screen visuals, the piece included various songs depicting homeland longing, authentic values, and the glorification of religious occasions.

Speaking on the side lines of the opening ceremony, His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH),and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the SINF emphasised the importance of support from His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for honouring 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.

His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallamexpressed his appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and guests for attending the opening ceremony.He said, “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 symbolises the relationship between humans and the sea, as it appears in tales, proverbs, arts, crafts, and other elements of Emirati heritage.”

Key highlights of the activities and performances at this year’s forum

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjahhonoured several personalities: the guest of honour, Emirati artist Ibrahim Juma Al Haj, and the family of the late Kuwaiti poet Muhammad Al-Fayez Al-Ali. He also acknowledged a selection of prominent narrators and creative personalities in popular storytelling, including Rashid Mohammed Al Shehsi Al Zaabi, Nasser Bushbas, Hathbur bin Kaddas Al Rumaithi, and Humaid bin Khalifa bin Salem bin Theban.

At the end of the ceremony, His Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah toured the forum and explored the accompanying exhibition, which focused on the personality of the Emirati navigator and astronomer Ahmad ibn Majid. His Highness listened to a detailed explanation about the exhibition and viewed the manuscripts and works of this famous navigator.

His Highness also visited several pavilions participating in this year’s forum, including SINF Café, SINF Library, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), the Sharjah Documentation and Archives Authority, the Knowledge Without Borders, in addition to the National Library, Emirates Heritage Club, and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, and many other stands.

His Highness stopped at the “Sailor Tales” corner, where he watched a production of marine heritage songs that form part of the popular maritime history of the United Arab Emirates.

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.

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 a number of officials in local government departments, artists from various Arab countries, those interested in heritage and media professionals.