Sharjah Institute For Heritage Hosts Maldives Ambassador To Enhance Cultural Collaboration And Invite Participation In Narrator Forum

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, welcomed Mohamed Hussain Shareef, the Maldivian Ambassador to the UAE, at the Institute's headquarters. This meeting aimed to enhance cultural and heritage ties between the two nations. An official invitation was extended to the Maldives to be the Guest of Honour at the 25th Sharjah International Narrator Forum.

The Sharjah International Narrator Forum, initiated 25 years ago, is a significant cultural event celebrating storytellers and oral historians globally. It has become an international platform that honours folk narratives and preserves oral traditions through scholarly sessions and interactive programmes. Each year, it highlights a new theme and recognises individuals who have significantly contributed to preserving folk narratives.

During their meeting, Dr. Al Musallam expressed his pleasure in hosting Ambassador Shareef. He stated, "We were pleased to host the Ambassador of the Republic of the Maldives at the Institute, which was a valuable opportunity to explore avenues of cooperation in the field of intangible cultural heritage and to exchange expertise in preserving and documenting oral traditions and folk tales." The official invitation for the Maldives as Guest of Honour was also presented.

Ambassador Shareef expressed gratitude for this invitation and commended Dr. Al Musallam’s efforts in fostering cultural communication between nations. He remarked that being chosen as Guest of Honour allows Maldives to showcase its rich heritage to both Arab and global audiences.

The visit included discussions on potential cultural collaborations and highlighted the Maldives' expected role in the forum. A short documentary about Maldivian Heritage Week 2021 was shown. Dr. Al Musallam also shared publications from the Institute focusing on Emirati and Gulf cultural heritage, particularly oral storytelling and folk narratives.

Dr. Al Musallam noted that this year's forum would benefit from Maldivian participation by introducing legends from their sea and island culture, resonating with Gulf maritime traditions. "The Narrator Forum has become a global platform celebrating storytellers and memory keepers from various cultures," he added.

Showcasing Institutional Efforts

Ambassador Shareef toured various facilities at the Institute with Dr. Al Musallam, including specialised departments like the Storytelling Centre and World Heritage Hall. The tour highlighted major initiatives focused on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

The Ambassador admired these efforts, noting their importance in preserving collective memory through institutional methods. He acknowledged that Maldives' participation would enrich cross-cultural dialogue with its unique stories inspired by its island environment.

The forum is organised annually by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, attracting researchers and practitioners specialising in intangible heritage worldwide. It remains a key event on both Arab and international cultural calendars due to its dedication to authenticity blended with innovation.

The meeting concluded with formal delivery of an invitation naming Maldives as Guest of Honour for this year's edition of Sharjah International Narrator Forum.

With inputs from WAM