Sharjah International Narrator Forum Concludes Silver Jubilee With Landmark Recommendations For Cultural Heritage

The 25th Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF) ended with significant recommendations, including the creation of a specialised encyclopedia and an atlas of Arab travel literature. The forum emphasised the need to document and study travellers’ tales scientifically as part of cultural heritage. This Silver Jubilee edition, themed "Tales of Travelers," spanned six days of vibrant cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing.

Organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, this event gathered over 120 narrators, scholars, and cultural figures from 37 countries. It was one of the most internationally diverse editions so far. Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, highlighted the edition's success in spotlighting storytellers' intellectual journeys. He noted that these narratives will serve as a valuable cultural legacy for future generations.

This year’s forum featured special highlights, such as naming the Maldives as Guest of Honor. Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr received recognition as the Honorary Personality of the Forum. Italian scholar Dr. Claudia Maria was honoured as the International Personality. Additionally, three major exhibitions were showcased: "Around the World," "Art of Horizons" celebrating Ibn Battuta's legacy, and Mira Al Qassim's art exhibition.

Aisha Rashid Al Hosani Al Shamsi, Director of the Arab Center and General Coordinator of the Forum, stressed that this Silver Jubilee edition achieved its noble objectives with strong audience engagement. She emphasised supporting folk tales and historical travel literature as key knowledge sources while encouraging further research and academic publishing in this field.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for his unwavering support. Under his leadership, Sharjah has become a global beacon for culture and heritage preservation. The forum's ambitious recommendations and global participation reinforce Sharjah’s role as a cultural capital both regionally and internationally.

The event concluded by opening new windows of hope for future editions, aiming to continue its mission in preserving cultural narratives. With its successful completion, SINF closes a shining chapter while setting ambitious goals for upcoming gatherings.

With inputs from WAM