Sharjah: Some of the world’s top puppet artists have gathered for workshops and performances at this year’s Sharjah International Narrators Forum (SINF) to inspire the younger generation.
The three-day forum, an event for storytellers, performers, narrators and experts from different countries, is celebrating experimental theatre in its 17th edition, bringing puppet and masks shows and workshops of diverse themes, organisers said.
The workshops on puppets and mask making for children are being linked with a particular study topic or theme combining fun and learning for the children, organisers said.
As many as 25 puppetry artists and storytellers are taking part in the forum, which began on Monday.
Dr Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said their aim at SINF is to bring puppetry into the mainstream and give local people an opportunity to experience something different.
“Storytelling has changed tremendously through the times. Today, besides storytelling, the performing arts help the storyteller in making their art stronger, vivid and more powerful. All art forms narrate a story in their own way, and puppets and puppeteers are some of the oldest storytellers of the world,” he said.
He added that through the art of puppetry and masks, the story not only comes out differently, but also provides exchange of synergies.
While the audience is being treated to a colourful line-up of puppetry fun and entertainment, they also have an opportunity to celebrate stories, people and cultures from around the globe with a diverse cultural programme for all ages to enjoy, said Al Mussalam.
The agenda of this year includes a line-up of exciting outdoor activities, which will offer the young visitors a drama-filled adventure.
The 17th edition of SINF ends on Wednesday, under the theme ‘Biographies and Epics’, representing narrators and storytellers from different genres.
