Sharjah will welcome storytellers from around the world as it stages the 25th edition of the Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF). Opening on 22 September and continuing for five days, the silver jubilee edition takes place under the theme “Tales of Travellers.”
This milestone year will see more than 120 narrators from 35 different nations come together, highlighting the enduring craft of storytelling and showcasing accounts of exploration and journeys through time.
Audiences can look forward to a rich cultural programme of live performances, exhibitions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, offering opportunities for storytellers, academics, and visitors to connect. Among the highlights will be the “Tales of Travellers” exhibition, which chronicles human experiences of travel and their cultural impact, alongside a special display of private collections belonging to the Forum’s honouree of the year.
Over 40 workshops will be held, covering narration skills, visual design, and applied practices, complemented by the launch of 40 new titles. Many of these will focus on travel writing, including the significant “Eyes on Journeys” series, which brings together selections from classical Arabic travel literature to enrich both regional and international libraries.
The academic strand of the Forum will bring 45 specialists and researchers from across the globe to take part in ten lectures, debates, and roundtables examining storytelling traditions and travel-related narratives. A book-signing space will also give authors the chance to share their work directly with readers.
The Maldives has been named Guest of Honour, presenting its maritime heritage and cultural traditions, further emphasising the Forum’s commitment to celebrating diversity. In addition, the “Tribute to Pioneers” segment will pay respect to heritage custodians who have dedicated their lives to preserving oral and intangible traditions.
Across its 25-year history, the Sharjah International Narrator Forum has grown into a leading international stage for storytelling, cultural memory, and heritage safeguarding—fostering dialogue and reaffirming the importance of narrative in linking past, present, and future.