(SIH) launches “The Storyteller” Programme to Train Storytellers as Part of the Pre-Event Programme for the Sharjah International Narrator Forum
The Sharjah Institute for Heritage today, Monday, launched its pre-event programme for the 26th edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum with the “Storyteller Programme for Training Storytellers.” Running until August 27, the programme brings together more than 40 participants from the UAE in an initiative aimed at discovering new talents in storytelling and narrative arts and preparing them to take part in the Forum’s activities.
The programme forms part of the Institute’s efforts to strengthen the presence of oral storytelling as an important component of cultural heritage. It seeks to build the capacities of a new generation of storytellers by providing them with the knowledge, skills and techniques needed to deliver stories in engaging and impactful ways, contributing to the sustainability of this art and its transmission to future generations.
Second Season of Storyteller Training
Aisha Rashid Al Hassoun Al Shamsi, General Coordinator of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum, affirmed that the launch of the programme represents an important milestone in the early preparations for the Forum’s 26th edition. She explained that the programme specialises in training and qualifying storytellers and is being held this year for its second season, with the aim of building the capacities of a new group of people interested in this art.
She said the programme seeks to prepare a group of storytellers capable of presenting stories and putting their skills into practice during the activities of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum. She noted that expanding the pool of storytellers will enrich the Forum with a wider range of experiences and narratives.
More Than 40 Emirati Participants
Al Shamsi noted that more than 40 participants from the UAE are taking part in the programme. Over four days, they will receive specialised training covering various aspects of storytelling, as well as techniques and approaches designed to enhance their performance and their ability to communicate stories effectively to audiences.
She added that the Institute will benefit from the programme’s outcomes during the upcoming edition of the Forum by providing participants with opportunities to present their stories and share their experiences before the Forum’s audience. This will give them a practical opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire during the training.
Training Combining Knowledge and Practice
The “Storyteller Programme for Training Storytellers” is being held at the Institute’s headquarters from August 24 to 27, 2026. It features a training programme focused on developing participants’ skills in oral storytelling and introducing them to techniques that enhance the storyteller’s presence and ability to structure and present stories in an engaging manner.
The programme reflects the Sharjah Institute for Heritage’s commitment to investing in local talent and preparing it to participate in major heritage events. It also underscores the Institute’s vision of making the Sharjah International Narrator Forum a vibrant platform for discovering storytellers and developing their skills, while celebrating folk narratives and preserving oral memory.