Sheikh Zayed Book Award Organises Storytelling Event at Magrudy's Abu Dhabi
Date March, 29 2019
Location Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sheikh Zayed Book Award organized a Children’s Story Telling’ event in partnership with Magrudy’s Bookstore, at Al Wahda Mall branch, Abu Dhabi on 29 March 2019. The event featured the author of ‘The Dinoraf’ story - Emirati author Hessa Al Muhairi, 2018 winner of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Children Literature and translator Hala Al Bassar who narrated the story in English. The event was organized to mark the UAE’s national month of reading in an aim to highlight the importance of encouraging a culture of reading among younger generations and also promoting children’s literature.
Speakers
Hessa Al Muhairi
Hessa Al Muhairi holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Double Master of Science in Education Management and Policy from Deakin University Australia; she has been working as a nursery teacher since her graduation. Al Muhairi participated in a lot of Children’s Literature Workshops and managed a number of training programs. She has two published books for children; ”Whose Footprints are These?; and “The Dinoraf”.
Hala Al Bassar
Hala Al Bassar is young bilingual theater actress and voice talent. She was introduced to the world of theater and acting during her study at the American University of Sharjah by Prof. Anthony Tassa. His guidance and inspiration led to Hala’s involvement as actor and director in a number of theater shows even after her graduation. Later, Hala had an introduction to method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in New York. Upon her return to the UAE, Hala started focusing on Children’s theater shows and events, primarily because of the amount of honest, challenge and joy this type of audience brings!
She also reads short stories in live events such as the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Dubai Shopping Festival.
Hala has received local recognition in awards including Best Actress in Dubai Community Theater in 2016 and Best Actress in Sharjah Theater Festival for Short Plays in the same year.