Sharjah, with its profound respect for oral traditions and literary narratives, offers numerous enchanting venues where you can immerse yourself in the art of storytelling, ranging from traditional Emirati tales to contemporary global narratives, ensuring there’s a story for every listener.
House of Wisdom: A Modern Hub for Narrative Journeys
The House of Wisdom, Sharjah’s iconic architectural marvel and futuristic library, serves as a fantastic venue for storytelling, offering a blend of traditional narratives and modern, interactive sessions. Throughout the year, this innovative cultural hub regularly hosts storytelling sessions, particularly on weekends and during school holidays. These sessions are often held in beautifully designed, comfortable spaces, making the experience even more engaging for young audiences, but they also cater to adults with thought-provoking literary discussions. For instance, the House of Wisdom recently hosted a “Tell an Accordion Story” workshop on February 22, 2025, which blended traditional and digital art to create narratives. They also have an ongoing Children’s Book Club that runs in terms, with a new term starting around April 6, 2025, which incorporates storytelling elements. Their diverse programming ensures a dynamic environment for engaging with stories in various forms.
Sharjah Public Libraries: Timeless Tales and Engaging Readers
The Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) system, with its numerous branches spread across the emirate, plays a vital role in fostering a love for reading and stories, particularly among children. The main branches, including the Sharjah Children’s Library, frequently host interactive storytelling hours where skilled librarians and guest storytellers bring books to life with engaging voices, expressive gestures, and sometimes even props. These sessions are a cornerstone of their mission to promote literacy and imagination. The SPL also organizes special events like “Heritage Tales,” which occurred around May 2, 2025, introducing children to the cultural significance of Emirati folktales through engaging narratives. As part of their centennial celebrations, SPL launched the “100 Years, 100 Stories” initiative, which includes public storytelling sessions held at different SPL branches, inviting writers, poets, and historians to share their personal experiences and literary contributions, highlighting the library’s role in shaping lives across generations.
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival: A Grand Celebration of Stories
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), an annual event of immense popularity, is a highlight for anyone seeking storytelling sessions tailored for younger audiences. Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 16th edition ran from April 23 to May 4, 2025, at the Expo Centre Sharjah. SCRF is far more than just a book exhibition; it’s a vibrant spectacle of culture, education, and entertainment. The festival brings together leading authors, illustrators, and storytellers from around the world who captivate audiences with their narratives.
The festival features dedicated “storytelling corners” and stages where professional storytellers use various techniques, including puppets, music, and interactive elements, to bring tales to life. Beyond formal sessions, the entire atmosphere encourages the sharing of stories, making it a truly immersive experience for families. SCRF is renowned for its engaging workshops that foster creativity, often including elements of storytelling and narrative building for children. It’s a free event for all attendees, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Sharjah Institute for Heritage: Preserving Oral Traditions
The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) is a crucial institution for experiencing traditional Emirati storytelling, known as “hakawati.” SIH is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the intangible cultural heritage of the UAE, and oral storytelling is a significant component of this mission. The Institute, particularly during the annual Sharjah Heritage Days (typically held in February in the Heart of Sharjah, with the next edition from February 12th to February 23rd, 2025), features designated areas where traditional hakawati (storytellers) recount ancient fables, poetic verses, and historical anecdotes. These sessions often come alive with traditional music and interactive elements, offering an authentic glimpse into the emirate’s rich oral traditions.
SIH also hosts the Sharjah International Narrator Forum, an annual pioneering cultural initiative dedicated to storytellers, oral historians, and guardians of intangible heritage from around the world. The forum attracts distinguished researchers and practitioners, showcasing folk narratives through scholarly sessions, heritage performances, and interactive programs that blend authenticity with innovation. This demonstrates SIH’s ongoing efforts to revive and preserve narrative art.
Sharjah Art Foundation: Storytelling Through Visuals
The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF), while primarily focused on contemporary visual art, recognizes the powerful connection between narrative and visual arts and occasionally incorporates storytelling into its educational programs and workshops. These sessions might not always be traditional “storytelling hours” but often involve creating stories inspired by artworks, building narratives through mixed media, or exploring themes through collaborative art projects. For example, SAF recently offered a workshop titled “Tell Stories through Drawing and Photography” (which took place on April 20, 2025), aimed at teaching participants how to transform ideas and words into visual narratives. Keep an eye on SAF’s “What’s On” and “Free Learning” sections for such cross-disciplinary events that explore storytelling in innovative ways.
Al Majaz Waterfront: Open-Air Storytelling and Community Events
While primarily known for its outdoor leisure and entertainment, Al Majaz Waterfront occasionally hosts open-air storytelling events, especially during cooler months or as part of larger community festivals. This scenic destination, with its stunning views of Khalid Lagoon and the iconic musical fountain, provides a beautiful backdrop for cultural gatherings. During events like the Sharjah Light Festival (every February 5th to February 23rd, 2025) or other public celebrations, you might find informal storytelling sessions or performances that engage passersby. These events often blend entertainment with cultural narratives, making storytelling an accessible and enjoyable experience for families and visitors.
Finding Your Story in Sharjah
Sharjah’s profound commitment to storytelling, from the preservation of ancient oral traditions to the fostering of modern literary narratives, ensures that there are abundant opportunities to listen, learn, and even share your own tales. The emirate truly understands the power of a good story to connect generations and cultures.
Embarking on Your Narrative Adventure
To discover the most current and engaging storytelling sessions in Sharjah, we strongly recommend regularly checking the official Sharjah Events website, as it provides a comprehensive listing of cultural happenings across the emirate. For specific programs, explore the official websites of the House of Wisdom (houseofwisdom.ae) and the Sharjah Public Libraries (spl.gov.ae). If you have children, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (scrf.ae) website is a must-visit, especially around April-May. For traditional narratives, keep an eye on the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (sih.shj.ae). The www.few.ae team encourages you to step into the captivating world of storytelling that flourishes in Sharjah!
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