Green stories from the MENA region

The impacts of climate change are strongly felt across the MENA region. Sustainability and environmental protection are gaining increasing significance. At the same time, the region has a rich oral tradition. Stories have the ability to make information about sustainability accessible and impactful. What kinds of green stories do people from different countries share? How can we inspire people for sustainability through storytelling? And how can “Hakawati,” the traditional storytellers, help us with that?

A woman holds a megaphone from which rain and wind turbines emerge.

© Goethe-Institut

Sustainability Deep Dive5 min 7 Middle East Podcasts You Should Listen to

What’s the carbon footprint of shawarma and taamia? What's the influence of climate change on mental health? And how do we make organic fertilizer at home? These 7 podcasts give answers to questions on a range of topics related to climate change, preserving the environment and living a more sustainable lifestyle in the MENA region.
© Goethe-Institut

Interview with Mona el-Shaiab2 min The Relevance of Storytelling in Today’s World

Storytelling has been paramount in Mona el-Shaiab's life. Raised with radio as a constant companion, she now leads as a radio presenter herself. In our interview, she discusses the uniqueness of Egyptian storytelling, the impact of digitalization, and why human storytelling remains unmatched by Artificial Intelligence.

© Goethe-Institut

Tales from the MENA region5 min Of Jinns and Justice

For centuries, oral storytelling has been an essential part of the MENA region’s cultural heritage, shaping identities, bridging generations, and connecting diverse societies. Through vibrant narratives passed from one storyteller to the next, these tales reflect history, traditions, and daily life.
© Goethe-Institut

Sustainability Narratives4 min Revisiting Ancient Wisdom

As climate change continues to impact the world, human influence on the environment becomes increasingly apparent. However, the dissemination of stories about environmental sustainability is not a new phenomenon. For centuries, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have shared narratives addressing this theme.

Watering can that waters flowers and speech bubbles. — Find a story teller for your project

Convey complex issues in an understandable way: Hakawati help craft stories about sustainability for your audience. Read more about their profiles.

Photo: private

Place of residence: Egypt Nesma Medhat

Green stories from the MENA region

Find a story teller for your project