A shy puppet.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

In a step towards enhancing creativity and passion among younger generations, Rubu’ Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, in collaboration with Heart of Sharjah – the historical, heritage, and tourist destination under Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) – has announced the launch of the Puppet Arts Center at Jithoor Center, the cultural hub nestled in Heart of Sharjah, coinciding with the Emirati Theatre Day (July 2), as announced by The Theatrical Association in the United Arab Emirates. The Puppet Arts Center is an initiative by Rubu’ Qarn for Theatre and Performing Arts, a newly added addition to Sharjah’s cultural initiatives and contributions. It will offer interactive workshops and artistic performances aimed at age groups from 6 to 31 years, teaching puppetry arts, while fostering performing art skills, and encouraging creative expression through educational tools that combine entertainment with learning.

The aim is to help and support children and youth to develop expressive skills, and enhance their creative thinking skills by transforming ideas into characters and visual stories inspired by their imagination, and boost their confidence through public performances. This will develop their communication skills and ability to handle different situations. The collaboration between Rubu’ Qarn and Heart of Sharjah has also the goal to enhance the cultural heritage of the region, while adding to Sharjah’s status as a centre for cultural and artistic innovation. The launch of the Puppet Arts Center provides an interactive educational environment that integrates arts, heritage, and culture at Jithoor Center.

Khaled Al Nakhi, Director of the Sharjah Capability Development, affiliated to Rubu’ Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, expressed pride in the opening of the Puppet Arts Center. “The Puppet Arts Center opening represents a significant step towards promoting creative arts and theatre, and we believe this centre will become an inspirational platform that combines education and entertainment, contributing to the development of skills among children and youth in our community,” he said. Dr. Adnan Salloum, performing arts expert, expressed satisfaction at the opening, coinciding with the occasion of Emirati Theatre Day. He emphasised the centre’s aim to stimulate imagination through skills that shape participants’ personalities, where they will write stories, design characters, craft them by hand, and animate them to convey their ideas and emotions to audiences locally and globally. Participants will also interact with visitors to the Heart of Sharjah and tourists from various countries, in a world of imagination that is universally loved.

  A puppet shows its bright colours.

Saif Al Taniji, General Manager of Heart of Sharjah, said that “Jithoor Center is a significant and important addition to the Heart of Sharjah, and we are delighted to collaborate with Rubu’ Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, to launch this centre, highlighting the importance of puppetry arts and Sharjah’s role in supporting various forms of arts, particularly theatre and performance arts for children and youth in this artistic field, to enhance their skills. Theatre is one of the most important means of delivering meaningful messages to society, and we invite everyone to attend and participate in the upcoming programmes and workshops at Jithoor Center, which will serve as a cultural platform and hub for all.”

Fatima Al Shuweihi, Director of Jithoor Center, added: “At Heart of Sharjah, we always celebrate and tell the story of our culture, history, heritage and traditions to all of our visitors from all around the world. We are honoured to host the unique addition of the Puppet Arts Center at Jithoor, and we are delighted to have this fruitful collaboration with Rubu’ Qarn. Through Jithoor Center, we aim to attract everyone – organisations and passionate individuals – to present their programmes under its roof. We provide them with necessary support through diverse cultural activities designed for all age groups.

Jithoor Cultural Hub is a Heart of Sharjah Community Platform that offers a space for creativity by providing supporting services which aim to encourage creative talents and skills, along with promoting local culture and heritage. The Puppet Arts Center represents an addition to Sharjah’s cultural scene, paving the way for a new generation of leaders and innovators through presenting traditional arts in innovative ways. Rubu’ Qarn authorities said it encourages parents to support their children’s participation in the centre to benefit from its numerous features in development, skills and capabilities, thereby reinforcing Sharjah’s rank and role as a capital of culture and arts.

The Theatrical Association in the UAE endorsed the establishment of an annual event called ‘Emirati Theatre Day.’ The occasion celebrates the achievements and contributions of Emirati theatre practitioners, honouring their work and creativity. Every July 2 serves as a day to express gratitude, appreciation and commitment to the advancement of Emirati theatre on local, regional, and global platforms. “Puppets can be an engaging and useful way to help children develop emotionally and grow their language and communication skills. Puppets allow them to engage in imaginative play that differs from dolls and other figures.

“While using puppets, children are able to project their own emotions onto the puppet. Research suggests that children view puppets more like a peer than an adult, so their interactions with puppets match that feeling. This makes children more likely to explain their ideas and answers to a puppet than to the adult operating the puppet. Just as children are more likely to listen to or talk to a peer, that same feeling applies to puppets.” (https://worldoflittledude.com/blog/benefits-of-using-puppets-in-the-classroom/).