Kalimat launches writers and illustrators workshop

Sponsored by Tatweer Forum, the program is set to boost skills of Emarati and UAE based writers and illustrators pursuing this career option.

Titled Nousous Wa Rousoum, the two-day event will be held on 8th and 9th February at Supreme Council of Family affairs in Sharjah. Kalimat has appointed its key author, Fatima Sharafelddine and illustrator, Lujaina Al Aseel to host the training session of this workshop. Participants for both workshops will be introduced to basic steps in writing and illustrating for children. From brainstorming, creating and illustrating a character to developing a story board, this workshop will broaden the horizons of creativity and imagination, key elements that boost story telling skills.

Managing the writing workshop will be the Beirut born Fatima Sharafeddine who received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the Lebanese American University before graduating with a Master's degree in Educational Theory and Practice with focus on Children's Literature. Mrs. Sharafeddine also has a Master's degree in Modern Arabic Literature and is currently dedicated to writing for children age 0 to 6 years old. Over the last 5 years, she has written and published over 30 books, and translated several others from English and French into Arabic. Moreover, several of her books have been translated to various European languages and in March of 2007, she won the 'National Committee of the Lebanese Child' award of best book of year 2006 for her book "Mountain rooster".

Loujaina Al-Assil studied visual communications and interior design at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus University. From 1969 she has been working in the field of illustrating and artistic supervision for several children magazines in Syria Lebanon and other Arab countries. Loujaina has taught children books illustration at the Faculty of fine arts, Damascus University and hosted educational programs on children's T.V. programs.

Since 2001, she has been an artistic advisor for children books at the Syrian Ministry of Culture and has hosted six individual painting exhibitions in Syria, Jordan, France, and Italy. In addition to several art exhibitions, she has contributed in collective Arabian & International Fairs around the worls and has presented several lectures and supervised many workshops in the field of children books illustration in Italy, Kuwait, Sharjah, Lebanon, Tunis, and Syria.

"Nousous Wa Rousoum is a designed a platform for young and established authors and illustrators to develop and enhance their talents. Our objective is to hone these skills at grass root level and beyond through variety of workshops and training programs. Bringing highly acclaimed authors and illustrators to a forum allows open dialogues necessary to encourage pursue of talents."

said Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi, Founder and CEO, Kalimat.

Kalimat's Nousous Wa Rousoum workshop is open to all UAE based authors and illustrators with registration taking place at the venue prior to the beginning of the forum.