Take a trip to fantasy land on Noor Island
By Staff Reporter
Published: Mon 16 Jan 2017, 8:35 AM
Last updated: Mon 16 Jan 2017, 10:40 AM
The International Storytelling Festival 'Tales on the Island' on Al Noor Island, Sharjah, which began on the weekend, has been praised for its innovative outlook and inspirational approach. The festival which runs until January 28, is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, although school groups will be able to attend during weekdays, as well.
The event- International Storytelling Festival 'Tales on the Island' on Al Noor Island, Sharjah
- The festival which began on January 12 will run until January 28
- It is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- School groups can attend it during weekdays
- Through walks, live music, singing and live visual art, storytellers will offer dreamscapes and myths celebrating stories and cultural diversity in Arabic and English
- All tellers are internationally acclaimed and the programme is extremely rich, with performances both for children, adult and families.
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From myths, legends and traditional fiction told by world class storytellers from the Middle East, UK, Europe and Southeast Asia, audiences of all ages have relished both the performances and perfect atmosphere that Al Noor Island has provided. While the festival invites all people from all backgrounds and ages to enjoy the event, students in particular are being encouraged to attend.
School students in Sharjah and from across the UAE can listen to their favourite stories and have been provided with dedicated sessions during the week. What was originally planned as a weekend affair has now been extended to all days of the week, which from 9am to 3pm will be dedicated entirely to school visits to integrate fun, entertainment, creativity and heritage.
"We would really like as many young people as possible to attend. We have extremely talented and passionate international storytellers who bring tales to life and expand the imagination to explore new boundaries. There is an art to storytelling and we have some incredible artists with us during this festival. We are open to everyone and welcome all literature and story lovers wherever they may come from," said Marwa Obaid Al Shamsi, Al Noor Island Manager.
In addition, personalised storytelling to suit different age groups and languages of the visiting schools will be arranged for children upon request. Schools need to contact festival organisers prior to their visit to arrange a customised session.
Both artistic directors of the festival have reflected on the premium choice of Al Noor Island, and the ideal theme it provided for imaginative stories like Peter Pan's Neverland. They both highlighted the importance of being in an environment surrounded by beauty and relaxation, as catalyst tools to enjoy an experiential story telling process. Visitors shared engaging feedback and interactivity with the festival, highlighting all the series of advantages of taking part in such a literacy experience.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com