Iftah Ya Simsim, the Arab world’s television series based on Sesame Street, is inviting families to meet the newest addition to the show’s Muppet family, Shams.
Making her first public appearance at the annual Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from May 7 to 13 ahead of the much anticipated relaunch of the show later this year, Shams, brought to life by Emirati puppeteer Asma Alshamsi, will take to the stage with her friend, fellow puppeteer Michel Jabali, to help narrate Iftah Ya Simsim stories to audiences. The show’s favourite life-sized characters Elmo and Gargour will also be present at the fair to meet and greet guests.
First aired in the 1980s, the new Iftah Ya Simsim is regarded as a pioneer in the field of Arabic children’s entertainment. It was the first locally created and produced Arabic speaking version of the world’s longest-running educational TV series for kids, Sesame Street.
Catch the first show at 10:30am on May 7 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
