Latest news with #WorldStorytellingDay
Gulf Today
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
‘Heritage Nights' attract more than 52,000 visitors in Sharjah
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) concluded the first edition of 'Heritage Nights,' held at Al Soor Square, in the Heart of Sharjah. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout, with traditional Emirati folklore filling the air through vibrant cultural performances and authentic music that lit up the venue. The event successfully reflected the Sharjah's deep-rooted cultural identity and reinforced its standing as a capital of heritage and culture. Over the course of several days, the event attracted a large and diverse audience, with more than 52,000 visitors attending — highlighting the strong public interest and engagement with the rich and varied heritage activities organised by the SIH during this inaugural edition. Commenting on the success of the event, Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said: 'Heritage Nights have marked a new milestone in our ongoing efforts at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage to safeguard and promote cultural heritage through experiences that resonate with people of all ages. The great success of this first edition affirms that heritage remains alive in the hearts of the community. 'Under the guidance of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate of Sharjah continues to lead as a hub for culture and a guardian of identity.' He added: 'We are proud of the overwhelming response to Heritage Nights, which inspires us to continue delivering even more creative and dynamic future editions. Our goal is to present heritage through contemporary formats while staying true to its authenticity and depth.' The event featured a wide array of activities that showcased the richness of the UAE's cultural heritage. In the Storytelling Village, visitors enjoyed live performances by storyteller Abdel Nasser Al Tamimi and puppet theatre shows — reviving the traditional art of oral storytelling. The Children's Village offered a variety of interactive educational and entertaining activities designed to strengthen children's connection with their national identity through engaging experiences. In an atmosphere pulsing with the spirit of the past, the Traditional Games Corner gave visitors the chance to explore the games once played by their ancestors. Meanwhile, the Ramadan Culinary Competitions brought together cooking enthusiasts in an atmosphere filled with energy and creativity. The event also featured strong participation from the Emirates Publishers Association, along with a Book Souq (Al Kutubiyeen Corner) that offered heritage lovers the chance to explore and purchase rare books highlighting various aspects of Emirati cultural heritage. Recently, the International Storytelling School, part of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, hosted a wonderful event called 'World Storytelling Day.' This gathering celebrated the art of storytelling, showcasing it as a valuable tradition that brings people together and helps different generations connect with one another. The event featured several distinguished guests, including Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam; Marwa Al Aqroubi, the President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People; and Professor Amira Bu Kadra, an author and co-founder of Ghaf Publications, as well as the Chairperson of the Emirates Publishers Association. Many heritage enthusiasts were also present. The audience was then treated to a lively theatrical performance by talented children from the 'Pearls and Jewels of Tales' programme. Their performance showcased how storytelling can promote important social values and connect us with our history, all while delivering vibrant messages about heritage in an engaging way. In this context, Al Musallam highlighted the importance of storytelling. He explained that storytelling is not just a nice tradition or a fleeting trend; it is the memory of nations, carrying their wisdom and connecting people across time. It helps share experiences and pass down values and knowledge from one generation to the next. He added, 'Our celebration of World Storytelling Day showcases our commitment to preserving oral traditions and sharing them in new and creative ways that keep them relevant while staying true to their roots. This allows storytelling to continue being a source of inspiration and knowledge for future generations.'
Gulf Today
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
SIH holds event to celebrate World Storytelling Day in UAE
The International Storytelling School, part of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), hosted a wonderful event called 'World Storytelling Day.' This gathering celebrated the art of storytelling, showcasing it as a valuable tradition that brings people together and helps different generations connect with one another. The event featured several distinguished guests, including Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, the President of the Institute; Marwa Al Aqroubi, the President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People; and Professor Amira Bu Kadra, an author and co-founder of Ghaf Publications, as well as the Chairperson of the Emirates Publishers Association. Many heritage enthusiasts were also present. The audience was then treated to a lively theatrical performance by talented children from the 'Pearls and Jewels of Tales' programme. Their performance showcased how storytelling can promote important social values and connect us with our history, all while delivering vibrant messages about heritage in an engaging way. In this context, Al Musallam highlighted the importance of storytelling. He explained that storytelling is not just a nice tradition or a fleeting trend; it is the memory of nations, carrying their wisdom and connecting people across time. It helps share experiences and pass down values and knowledge from one generation to the next. He added, 'Our celebration of World Storytelling Day showcases our commitment to preserving oral traditions and sharing them in new and creative ways that keep them relevant while staying true to their roots. This allows storytelling to continue being a source of inspiration and knowledge for future generations.' Israa Al Mulla, the Director of the International Storytelling School at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, highlighted how important storytelling is for education and culture. She believes that storytelling isn't just for fun; it's a powerful way to help people connect and communicate. According to her, stories allow us to see the world through a creative lens, blending imagination with knowledge. She stated, 'At the International Storytelling School, we think stories are one of the best ways to share our heritage, wisdom, and values. They can spark our imagination, boost our critical thinking, and create spaces where people can talk and understand each other better.' The event featured captivating stories told by storyteller Mohammed Al Mansouri, who shared tales from our heritage that combined valuable lessons with entertainment. This experience brought back the charm of old gatherings, where stories were a way for people to connect and learn from the wisdom of their ancestors. The Sharjah Institute for Heritage launched a new platform called the 'Tales Association.' This initiative aims to promote the art of storytelling, keep these traditions alive, and create a space where storytellers, researchers, and enthusiasts can come together and celebrate this important aspect of our culture. The programme featured two engaging discussions that explored the importance of storytelling in keeping cultural traditions alive. In the first discussion, the focus was on how storytelling helps us remember our heritage and share our life experiences over time. The second discussion was especially exciting, as children and young adults got to participate in a fun interactive session with a storyteller. To wrap up the event, there were several educational workshops and artistic activities. These provided everyone an opportunity to learn different storytelling techniques and improve their own storytelling abilities. Recently, recognising the need to preserve cultural heritage for future generations and address challenges in the digital age, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage organised a cultural session titled 'The Future of Cultural Heritage in a Changing Era.' The session was part of SIH's cultural programme at the Cairo International Book Fair 2025. The discussion featured Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam; Dr Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Dr Ahmed Bahaa Al Din Al Assasi, President of the Egyptian Society for Folklore; and Dr Samar Saeed, Dean of the Higher Institute of Folk Arts. WAM
CBC
21-03-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: March 21 to 23
The weekend looks like it will be a mixed bag of weather with snow, rain and sunshine all possible and cooler-than-some-would-like temperatures. But it is the first official week of spring, which means it's a good time to get outside and look for those early flowers like a snowdrop or crocus. It's the last weekend of regular season play in the Ontario Hockey League. The Kitchener Rangers are home Friday night, hosting Owen Sound. Then they head down Highway 7 to Guelph on Sunday for an afternoon game against the Storm. The Guelph Storm are in Owen Sound on Saturday before their home game against the Rangers. If that's not enough hockey, the U Sports women's hockey championships is being hosted by the University of Waterloo this year. The tournament runs all weekend at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira. Tickets are available online. The K-W Titans basketball team are home on Saturday, hosting the Newfoundland Rogues. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. If you need to drive this weekend, here are some local gas prices: Tri-City Roller Derby home opener Saturday 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. New Hamburg Community Centre Tri-City Roller Derby will host the Atlantic Roller Derby teams on Saturday. The junior roller derby starts at 5 p.m., then the Tri-City Lightning take part in a sanctioned bout at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online. For people interesting in learning more about roller derby, Tri-City is also hosting an information night on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at AOK Craft Beer and Arcade in downtown Kitchener. K-W Home and Garden Show Friday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kitchener Memorial Auditorium More than 150 exhibitors will be on site for this annual show to prep people for the warmer weather and think about home renovations and projects. There's a number of talks and ask the expert sessions including how to spot quality workmanship, protecting a basement, choosing plants for a garden, container gardening and how to help pollinators. General admission applies. Ramadan Bazaar Saturday 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. International School of Cambridge, 1550 Dunbar Rd., Cambridge This bazaar includes a number of vendors plus kids activities, a magic show, henna and fashion and food. Entry is free, but people are asked to reserve a spot. Eventbrite page Seedy Saturday Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Old Quebec St. Shoppes, downtown Guelph The warm weather earlier this week may have people dreaming of gardens or starting the pots on their balconies and patios and if so, this event will help scratch that itch. There are more than 20 vendors plus workshops and kids activities. Sunday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo To mark World Storytelling Day, which was on Thursday, the guild will be hosting an event with various local storytellers sharing their craft. The theme of this year's concert of stories is This Is Us: Stories that Run Deep. Admission is free although donations will be accepted.
