Bodour Al Qasimi opens 'Folktales Reimagined' exhibition in Rabat

 As part of Sharjah's Guest of Honour cultural programme at the 30th edition of the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, inaugurated the Moroccan edition of the "Folktales Reimagined" exhibition at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Organised by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) in collaboration with IBBY Morocco and the National Library, the exhibition brings together five Emirati and five Moroccan artists, each reimagining a folktale from the other's culture. These contemporary visual interpretations offer a unique fusion of heritage and modernity, introducing new generations to characters and legends that have long shaped the cultural identity of both the UAE and Morocco.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said, "Since the project launched at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2022, our aim has been to evolve beyond a simple exhibition format into a cultural movement that takes folktales across borders. This Moroccan edition is a testament to the growing global interest in rediscovering folklore through the lens of art."

She continued, "We're working to establish 'Folktales Reimagined' as a sustainable platform where artists from different countries can dive into each other's narrative traditions, understand their symbolism, and explore their social contexts. In doing so, we restore the educational and cultural value of folktales and turn them into a universal language for cross-cultural connection."

This is the sixth edition of the traveling exhibition, following previous editions in Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Greece, and Russia. Each stop has served as a creative hub for cultural dialogue, where artists and audiences engage beyond the visual, exploring shared values, societal memories, and the dreams that bind us all.

The Moroccan edition featured innovative artworks by ten artists from the UAE and Morocco, each reimagining a traditional tale from the other's culture through a personal, contemporary lens.

Emirati artist Amna Al Ketbi revisited the story of Hadidan le Rusé, about a clever boy who survives a monstrous ogress thanks to a house made of iron. Khalid Al-Khawar interpreted The Weaver's Daughter, a touching tale of a blind girl who, after being lost in a forest, finds a new beginning and miraculously regains her sight. Reem Ahmed explored the legend of Aïcha Kandicha, one of Morocco's most enigmatic folktale figures-part heroine, part ghost-who symbolises beauty, danger, and rebellion.

Dalal Al Jabri offered her vision of Haïna and the Ogre, a story of a brave girl who disguises herself to escape a monstrous creature and ultimately rescues her fiancé with the help of magical birds. Meanwhile, Rafia Al Nassar reimagined The Forest Monster, a compact yet symbol-rich tale of a boy who defeats a fierce beast through wit and courage.

From the Moroccan side, artist Mohamed Haïti drew inspiration from the Emirati tale of Al-Hama, a gluttonous, bird-like creature that embodies chaos and unrelenting hunger. Sophia Alami presented her interpretation of Oum Rukheesh, a terrifying omen-like bird that preys on the vulnerable, haunting cemeteries and darkened skies.

Hind Kharifi redefined the infamous Bou Sola, a wolf-like beast with glowing red eyes and a haunting presence, offering a bold, surreal vision of fear and the unknown.

Lamia Hmaiddout infused warmth and vibrancy into Jinni Al-Raqqas-the legendary cannon of Sharjah said to dance only to music and joy-transforming it into a spirited symbol of festivity and resistance.

Lastly, Mickaël El Fathi tackled the eerie figure of Jinni Al-Marijah, a haunting child-like jinn that emerges in broad daylight, unsettling the community with his ghostly appearance and deep-rooted symbolism.

The artists employed techniques ranging from digital art and illustration to poster design, using vibrant visual languages to reinterpret these folktales for modern, digital-native audiences. Their works transformed traditional stories into immersive experiences, using colour, shape, and form as narrative tools.

"Folktales Reimagined" was first launched in 2019 during Sharjah's UNESCO World Book Capital celebrations. Created by UAEBBY, the initiative promotes cultural understanding through artistic storytelling, reviving the narrative heritage of diverse communities. The exhibition has since toured multiple countries-including the UAE, Italy, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Greece, and Russia-and has been widely embraced by audiences.