Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), launched the first interactive workshop of the 21st Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF) at the headquarters of the Centre of International Organisations for Cultural Heritage at University City, Sharjah.

The workshop, which targets children aged 12 years and above, will include the “Introduction to Character Design’ which will be presented on the first day. The second session focuses on designing characters and drawing animal stories, while the final session will feature the creative works produced in the earlier workshops.

His Excellency Dr Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of SIH and the Supreme Organising Committee of the SINF said that the Kalila and Dimna character design workshop will be an important feature of this year’s edition of the forum, especially since the whole month of September will be dedicated to character design. The 21st edition of SINF will extend throughout September, which is the new adopted format after two fruitful and productive decades of organising the event, which has achieved its position as the premiere event for storytelling and literature in general.

Al Musallam added that this year's edition, important personalities from research and arts will be attending, such as artist Omar Al-Rawi. This year’s edition will also include exciting events, programmes and activities aimed at children. There will be significant changes which will build on the accumulated experiences and knowledge that the forum has gained over the past two decades.

Al Musallam pointed that the presenter of the workshop, Ahmed Manar Al-Lahham, will help the participating children as they try to draw the characters of Kalila and Dimna. 

Aisha Al-Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of the Arab Heritage Centre of the Institute and General Coordinator of the Forum, said that the first interactive workshop will enable the children to learn important skills on how to draw characters, and will eventually be given the opportunity to create their own versions of popular literary characters such Kalila and Dimna.

Al Shamsi pointed that the interactive workshops will last for 15 days and will be conducted in the Institute’s headquarters and branches. They will give the participants a great experience and provide them with cultural knowledge and drawing skills.

The presenter of the workshop, Ahmed Manar Al-Lahham, said new method of drawing were introduced to children using geometric shape. Lively interactions were clear as children tried drawing and sharing ideas and it was great seeing them work as a team.