Sharjah International Narrator Forum Emphasises Modernity's Role In Heritage Preservation

Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, emphasised the importance of adapting to fast-paced changes to preserve heritage for future generations. He noted that social media influencers have become influential voices, making it vital to combine authenticity with modern technology. His comments were made during a session titled "The Narrator in His Silver Jubilee: From Local to Global," which included Dr. Aisha Al Hassan Al Shamsi and attracted a diverse audience.

Dr. Al Musallam highlighted that since its inception 25 years ago, the forum has been a cultural bridge, initially drawing storytellers from the Gulf and Arab regions and later expanding globally. Today, it is a leading platform for preserving intangible cultural heritage. He stressed Sharjah’s dedication to documenting narratives, calling culture and heritage essential to the emirate’s global reputation.

Addressing digital age challenges, Dr. Al Musallam pointed out that some content creators gain large followings despite lacking credibility, while genuine narrators struggle with modern tools. He warned that popular memory might fade unless presented in engaging formats and called for stronger partnerships and strategic technology use.

The forum now functions as a comprehensive research project, producing academic publications on stories and storytellers and hosting workshops to nurture new narrators. It also contributes to UNESCO dialogues on intangible heritage and supports local storytellers with social care and housing due to their cultural significance.

Dr. Aisha Al Shamsi stated that storytelling is a universal creative pursuit not limited by gender. She noted that women today are empowered to travel and document experiences using modern tools. She highlighted the universal nature of folk tales, citing "Cinderella" as an example of a story told in various forms worldwide.

Dr. Aisha emphasised translation's role in spreading folk narratives globally but stressed translations should be done by those passionate about heritage to preserve original texts' essence. She shared that the forum has introduced storytelling into schools, with narrators visiting classrooms to connect youth with their cultural roots.

The Future of Storytelling

Discussing future plans, Al Shamsi highlighted using artificial intelligence for archiving stories and suggested incorporating science fiction elements to engage younger audiences while maintaining authentic storytelling traditions.

The forum serves as a bridge between cultures and knowledge-sharing platform dedicated to preserving intangible cultural heritage. It continues to evolve by integrating modern technology while staying true to its core mission of safeguarding traditional narratives for future generations.

With inputs from WAM