SINF celebrates heritage through interactive workshops and cultural discovery
The 26th Sharjah International Narrator Forum has captivated thousands with immersive cultural experiences, featuring traditional crafts, community programmes and storytelling that engage visitors of all ages.
The 26th edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum has proven a resounding success, with visitors embracing the diverse array of interactive workshops and cultural activities on offer. From traditional Emirati crafts to contemporary storytelling, the forum has established itself as a vibrant space where heritage comes alive through participation and discovery.
The breadth of programming reflects a sophisticated approach to cultural engagement. Workshops spanning Emirati craftsmanship, community awareness, volunteer initiatives and educational experiences have drawn particular enthusiasm from younger attendees and school groups, who have found in these activities a compelling gateway to understanding their cultural legacy.
Anwar Ahmed Al-Salami, Director of the Emirati Crafts Centre at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, underscored the significance of direct engagement between participants and practising craftswomen. Through demonstrations of traditional techniques such as Talli embroidery, visitors have gained insight into the technical mastery and cultural narratives embedded within these artistic practices. This dialogue between heritage practitioners and contemporary audiences represents a vital mechanism for ensuring traditional knowledge remains vibrant and meaningful.
The forum’s commitment to comprehensive cultural education extends across multiple institutional partners. The Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work has deployed interactive activities and educational materials designed to cultivate awareness of community service among younger generations. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Police have contributed awareness programmes addressing traffic safety and the dangers of narcotics, alongside sessions exploring traditional Emirati values and social etiquette.
Educational programming at the Arab Heritage Centre has embraced creative pedagogical approaches, with mosaic-making workshops providing hands-on artistic experiences that marry technical skill development with creative expression. The Commerce and Development Authority’s ‘Smile’ workshop, similarly designed for children, demonstrates the forum’s inclusive approach to making heritage accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
Mohammed Issa Al-Khaja of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage highlighted the particular success of the ‘Friends’ Journey’ experience, which has resonated strongly with younger visitors by emphasising universal values of friendship and communication alongside cultural specificity. This thematic approach—presenting heritage not as static artefact but as living framework for human connection—has proven central to the forum’s appeal.
The forum’s architecture reflects sophisticated curatorial thinking, with specialised pavilions, performance spaces and craft zones creating an environment conducive to both spontaneous discovery and intentional learning. Folk art groups performing throughout the event underscore the forum’s commitment to presenting heritage as a dynamic, participatory experience rather than a museum display.
This approach has garnered recognition beyond the emirate. Mohamed Sadek, Director of the Arab Heritage Archive Foundation in Egypt, expressed enthusiasm for the forum’s ability to engage diverse audiences and inspire genuine interest in cultural preservation and understanding.
The 26th Sharjah International Narrator Forum exemplifies a mature approach to cultural stewardship—one that recognises heritage as something to be experienced, explored and owned by contemporary communities rather than merely preserved behind glass. Through interactive programming that spans multiple generations and backgrounds, the forum affirms culture’s enduring relevance to identity, connection and human flourishing.
Source: WAM