Sharjah 24: The activities of the 21st edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum ( SINF) will start on September 22, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, at Expo Centre Sharjah, and will continue until September 24, with the participation of elite experts and scholars and writers from more than 38 countries, in addition to the presence of a group of Emirati and Arab artists, in cooperation with many government agencies.

The theme for the 21st edition of the Forum is "Animal Tales," which honours the rich and diverse Emirati, Arab, and human heritage. The events in the Eastern Province will take place on September 25 and 26 in Khorfakkan at the Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa, Al Dhaid at the Al Dhaid Expo Hall, Kalba at the University of Sharjah - Kalba Branch, and Dibba Al Hisn at the Dibba Al Hisn Cultural and Sports Club, and the forum will run virtually until September 30th on social media pages.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and the Supreme Organising Committee of SINF said to Sharjah 24, “We cannot fail to fulfil our responsibility to preserve and celebrate our cultural heritage, and the Forum has become a well-established tradition with 21 annual editions. It has been critical in safeguarding and preserving cultural treasures.”

Aisha Al-Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of the Arab Heritage Centre of the Institute and General Coordinator of the SIN, informed Sharjah 24 that : “the forum’s activities will take place in several locations in the Emirate of Sharjah, and will include various sessions, workshops, and public events, in addition to an exhibition on “animal tales” in the Emirati, Arab and international heritage, and workshops for children,” she added, “The forum continues its successes under the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.”

Dr Ahmed Abdel Rahim Nasr, the honorary figure this year, will represent the Republic of Sudan at the Forum, in recognition of his contributions to the field of cultural heritage. Tunisian storyteller Abdulaziz El Aroui will also be honoured in recognition of his rich narrative heritage.

The intellectual programme of the forum includes various lectures, specialized seminars, dialogue sessions, and a cultural café. The forum will highlight more than 30 various titles from the latest Sharjah Institute for Heritage’s publications on the forum’s theme that will be signed in book signing section.