'Folktales Reimagined' exhibited at Thessaloniki International Book Fair
Cross-cultural collaboration and interpretations of Emirati and Greek folklore
Sharjah: Sheikha Badour bin Sultan Al Qasimi attended the launch of the Greek edition of the Folktales Reimagined at the Thessaloniki Central Library, Greece part of Sharjah's representation as Guest of Honour at the Thessaloniki International Book Fair 2024 (TIBF) in Greece.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi is the Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Founder of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY).
The exhibition, a joint effort by UAEBBY and the Greek Board on Books for Young People (IBBY Greece), showcases a fusion of Emirati and Greek folktales through the lenses of ten artists, five from each country.
Speaking at the event, Sheikha Bodour admired the artists' ability to reimagine tales from diverse cultures while preserving their essence. She emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering cultural understanding and appreciation.
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Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, highlighted the significance of the exhibition's Greek edition as part of previous iterations held successfully in Italy, Mexico, and South Korea.
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The exhibition features a captivating array of artworks, each inspired by a unique folktale.
Greek artists, including Filomila Vakali – Syrogiannopoulou, Vasilis Grivas, Emmanuela Kakavia, Lela Stroutsi, and Gerasimos Galiatsatos, have reimagined Emirati tales such as 'Bu Assalasel', 'UM KARBAH WA LEEFAH', 'Bu Ras', 'ANNAGGAGAH', and 'FATTOUH'.
Conversely, Emirati artists like Moza Al Hamrani, Zakia Alamry, Noor Al Khamiri, Fatima Alameri, and Alia Jalabi have breathed new life into Greek folk stories, including 'The Fox Who Had Lost His Tail', 'The Farmer and His Sons', 'The Turtle and The Eagle', 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf', and 'The Tortoise and the Hare'
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The 'Folktales Reimagined' initiative, launched under the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 initiative, aims to celebrate cultural heritage and promote intercultural dialogue through artistic expression.
By inviting artists from different backgrounds to reinterpret each other's folklore, the project underscores the universal values that bind humanity across borders and civilizations.