Bodour Al Qasimi Opens Folktales Reimagined Exhibition Showcasing Emirati And Moroccan Artistry

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, recently opened the Moroccan edition of "Folktales Reimagined" at Morocco's National Library. This event was part of Sharjah’s Guest of Honour cultural programme at the 30th Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair. Organised by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) with IBBY Morocco, the exhibition showcases five Emirati and five Moroccan artists reinterpreting each other’s folktales.

The exhibition offers a modern twist on traditional stories, blending heritage with contemporary art. This initiative aims to introduce new generations to characters and legends that have shaped both UAE and Moroccan cultures. Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, stated, "Since the project launched at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2022, our aim has been to evolve beyond a simple exhibition format into a cultural movement that takes folktales across borders."

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Emirati artist Amna Al Ketbi reimagined Hadidan le Rusé, a tale about a clever boy who survives an ogress using an iron house. Khalid Al-Khawar interpreted The Weaver’s Daughter, where a blind girl finds hope and regains her sight after being lost in a forest. Reem Ahmed explored Aïcha Kandicha, a figure symbolising beauty and danger. Dalal Al Jabri offered her vision of Haïna and the Ogre, featuring a brave girl who rescues her fiancé with magical birds' help.

From Morocco, Mohamed Haïti drew from the Emirati tale of Al-Hama, depicting chaos through a gluttonous creature. Sophia Alami presented Oum Rukheesh as an ominous bird haunting cemeteries. Hind Kharifi redefined Bou Sola as a surreal wolf-like beast with glowing eyes. Lamia Hmaiddout infused Jinni Al-Raqqas with vibrancy, transforming it into a symbol of festivity. Mickaël El Fathi tackled Jinni Al-Marijah, portraying its eerie presence.

This is the sixth edition of this travelling exhibition following stops in Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Greece, and Russia. Each location has served as a hub for cultural dialogue where artists and audiences engage beyond visuals to explore shared values and societal memories. The Moroccan edition featured innovative artworks by ten artists from both countries.

The artists used various techniques like digital art and illustration to bring these tales to life for modern audiences. Their works transformed traditional stories into immersive experiences using colour and form as narrative tools. "We’re working to establish 'Folktales Reimagined' as a sustainable platform where artists from different countries can dive into each other’s narrative traditions," added Marwa Al Aqroubi.

Reviving Narrative Heritage

"Folktales Reimagined" began in 2019 during Sharjah’s UNESCO World Book Capital celebrations by UAEBBY. It promotes cultural understanding through artistic storytelling while reviving diverse communities' narrative heritage. The exhibition has toured multiple countries including Italy and Mexico and has been embraced by audiences worldwide.

The initiative aims to restore folktales' educational value by turning them into universal languages for cross-cultural connections. As Marwa Al Aqroubi noted: "In doing so, we restore the educational and cultural value of folktales and turn them into a universal language for cross-cultural connection."

With inputs from WAM