Sharjah: The Sharjah Heritage Institute, organiser of the Annual International Narrator Forum (AINF), announced the participation of over 20 countries in the 15th edition of the Forum, which will be held from September 27 to October 1.

This year, the forum, which has been extended from one day to five days, will feature narrators, storytellers, authors and playwrights from over 20 Arab and non-Arab countries, including UAE, Morocco, Palestine, Jordan, India, the Philippines, Mexico, Finland, Dagestan, Ukraine, Spain and Romania.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, activities of the 15th edition of AINF will be held across several locations in Sharjah, and will feature roundtables, panel discussions and seminars aimed at reviving and preserving the art of storytelling.

Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Heritage Institute, said: “Every September, we gather to commemorate the art of storytelling and celebrate narrators, who are considered a big part of our cultural inheritance. Spanning over five days, the Forum will shine a light on the art of storytelling and its role in preserving our human heritage.

“We are honoured to have the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, who has taken a personal interest in this art form.”

Countries participating in the 15th edition of AINF are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine and Jordan. Participating non-Arab countries include India, the Philippines, Mexico, Finland, France, Spain, Ukraine and Romania.

The five-day event will be held at several locations in Sharjah, notably, the headquarters of the Sharjah Heritage Institute on the university’s campus, the Central Market and Mega Mall.