Sharjah: Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, welcomed Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Ambassador of the Republic of the Maldives to the UAE, at the Institute's headquarters on Tuesday. The visit focused on enhancing cultural and heritage collaboration between the UAE and the Maldives, highlighted by an official invitation for the Maldives to be the Guest of Honour at the upcoming 25th edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Al Musallam expressed that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss cooperation in the field of intangible cultural heritage and the exchange of expertise in preserving oral traditions and folk tales. He emphasized the significance of the Maldives' participation in the Narrator Forum, which is known for celebrating storytellers worldwide. The inclusion of Maldivian legends and folktales is expected to enrich the forum, aligning well with the Gulf's maritime heritage.
Ambassador Shareef conveyed his gratitude for the invitation and commended Dr. Al Musallam's commitment to fostering cultural communication between nations. He remarked that being chosen as Guest of Honour offers the Maldives a platform to showcase its rich cultural heritage to both Arab and international communities. The ambassador highlighted the Maldives' abundant stories and oral traditions inspired by its island and marine surroundings, predicting that their involvement would stimulate cross-cultural dialogue.
During the visit, a documentary on Maldivian Heritage Week 2021 was screened, and discussions were held on potential cultural collaborations and the Maldives' role in the forum. Dr. Al Musallam also presented publications from the Institute that emphasize Emirati and Gulf cultural heritage, particularly oral storytelling, underscoring the maritime cultural connections between the UAE and the Maldives.
The visit concluded with the formal delivery of the invitation, naming the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for the 25th edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum. Dr. Al Musallam guided Ambassador Shareef on a tour of the Institute's facilities, highlighting departments and exhibitions like the Storytelling Centre and the Manuscript Restoration Laboratory.
The ambassador was introduced to the Institute's initiatives and research projects dedicated to preserving intangible cultural heritage. He praised the Institute's efforts in safeguarding collective memory. The Sharjah International Narrator Forum, launched 25 years ago, has become an international platform for celebrating folk narratives and preserving oral memory, attracting researchers and cultural institutions worldwide. Each edition of the forum focuses on a unique theme and honours figures who have significantly contributed to preserving folk narratives, marking it as a pivotal event in the cultural calendar.
