- Title: Jordanian storytellers revive ancient entertainment tradition
- Date: 8th January 2017
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (JANUARY 7, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JORDANIAN STORYTELLER, SALI SHALABI, PERFORMING HER SHOW TO AN AUDIENCE WORDS ON BLACKBOARD READING (Arabic): "JORDANIAN STORYTELLERS COLLECTIVE (JSC)" SALI SHALABI PERFORMING HER SHOW AUDIENCE MEMBERS WATCHING SALI SHALABI TELLING HER STORY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF JORDANIAN STORYTELLERS COLLECTIVE (JSC), SALI SHALABI, SAYING: "We have around 15 to 20 storytellers in Jordan and we are in all the governorates. This activity has been going on for one year. In the beginning, it was a monthly closed meeting between the female and male storytellers, but then we thought that we had to make it open because when we talk and practise, an audience has to exist." VARIOUS OF ANOTHER JORDANIAN STORYTELLER, DUHA KHASAWNEH, PERFORMING HER SHOW CHILD LISTENING KHASAWNEH TELLING A STORY JORDANIAN MAN AND WOMAN WATCHING THE SHOW VARIOUS OF KHASAWNEH TELLING HER STORY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN STORYTELLER, DUHA KHASAWNEH, SAYING: "People are looking for solutions to their children's' problems, which have been exacerbated by the constant use of technology. Therefore, mothers want their children to see stories like this, which can take them back to their childhood. This also creates interaction between the storyteller and the audience. If a person only uses technology, they will become isolated." SHALABI TELLING A STORY JORDANIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN LISTENING TO THE STORY JORDANIAN WOMAN SMILING WHILE WATCHING THE SHOW SHALABI TELLING HER STORY AUDIENCE MEMBERS WATCHING THE SHOW VARIOUS OF SALI SHALABI PERFORMING SHOW
- Embargoed: 23rd January 2017 11:56
- Keywords: storytelling tradition entertainment Amman storyteller art revival
- Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
- City: AMMAN, JORDAN
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0015Y7YJ4L
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: With her lively expressions and acting skills, Sali Shalabi enthralls a roomful of parents and children, who frequently burst into giggles.
Shalabi is among a group of people trying to revive the ancient Arab art of hakawati, or storytelling, in Jordan.
In the days when there was no radio, television or internet, hakawati employed various tools to engage directly with a live audience.
Shalabi said a group of nearly 20 storytellers has been performing the sessions for nearly a year.
"In the beginning, it was a monthly closed meeting between the female and male storytellers, but then we thought that we had to make it open because when we talk and practise, an audience has to exist."
The storytellers weave in tales from the region as well as from all over the world.
Duha Khasawneh is another storyteller.
She said increasing use of technology was creating isolation among children, and that an interaction like this was an effective means to improve their emotional well-being.
"People are looking for solutions to their children's' problems, which have been exacerbated by the constant use of technology. Therefore, mothers want their children to see stories like this, which can take them back to their childhood. This also creates interaction between the storyteller and the audience. If a person only uses technology, they will become isolated," she said.
Shalabi said each storyteller brought their personal style to the shows, which are held at both indoors and outdoors. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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