Revival Iftah Ya Simsim

map of middle east, original , revived versions of iftah ya simsim broadcast

a seminar held in 2011 design show s curriculum , educational framework, , attended on 80 education , media experts. seminar, attended abegs representatives, sponsored gcc joint program production institution (gcc-jppi) , saudi basic industries corporation (sabic), manufacturing company based in riyadh , 1 of private corporations sponsored new show. participants took consideration educational changes had occurred in region in previous 20 years, including more diverse , complicated world , need more creativity educate young children. seminar focused on education needs of children throughout arab world, possible effects of show s return, , how provide educational resources , technology children in 21st century. seminar participants recommended creation of advisory council, consisting of education experts , media professionals, expanding new media forms other tv, , including important arab celebrities guests on show, components american show used.

other curriculum topics chosen during seminar included arabic culture , heritage, school readiness, health , wellness, , female education. seminar participants decided use msa, producers had done original show, citing greater need expose children arabic language. national, example, stated, @ time when arab children increasingly deviating language , culture because of programming nations united states , india, initiatives reverse trend . abdulla al sharhan, new show s creative director, agreed: losing our language, , through iftah ya simsim, can revive language in such way child learns proper arabic in fun way . original, outreach important part of new show. before show aired, 4 characters original toured region, educating young children , families road , car safety. cast , crew took break filming few months constant live events interact young viewers. books, dvds, cds, online material , outreach programs children, parents, , teachers produced.

in late 2013, fifteen writers , producers bidaya media attended training education methodology , production techniques staff of american show in new york. saudi gazette reported iftah ya simsim in pre-production in march 2014, , first phase of auditions took place in april 2014, after, according al-sharhan, year of designing show, input child development experts, educators , cultural consultants . casting call competitive search of performers specializing in puppeteering, voice, singing, , movement sent universities, theaters, , cultural centers in abu dhabi, filmed, , through social media. cast arabic-speaking performers, although no prior acting experience required. dina al saleh, puppeteer alam simsim, egyptian co-production, screened first group of candidates, , final cast of 7 puppeteers chosen after ten days of workshops, saudi gazette called master level training marty robinson , other sesame workshop puppeteers new york. according editorial in national, new version of show significant because encouraged emiratis , other arabs become more involved in filmmaking and, more importantly, focused on locally relevant arabic-language content seek educate present , future generations .

relaunch

after 25-year hiatus show relaunched in september 2015 appearing on 9 regional stations abu dhabi al emarat tv , sharjah tv among them use numberkids 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5. @ time of re-launch show expected reach 45 million viewers. production collaboration between abu dhabi education council, twofour54, arab bureau of education gulf states , bedia media. along live shows @ schools, show interacts fans means of facebook, youtube channel, , instagram accounts. show announced focus on regional traditions, culture, values, customs, , manners characters speaking in classical arabic.

it announced loved character no man camel , bird muppet melsoon returning new run. joined new muppets include shams, quick witted 6 year old girl full of energy , loves express herself, cute gargour, special resident on iftah ya simsim provides trademark zaniness, comic chaos , unique perspective on world. announced season 1 muppet performers included 6 puppeteers: abdullah kassem, asma alshamsi, natheer khawaldeh, maher mozawak, noura sadaka, , michel jabali. announced actors appearing on show muppets; abdulla rafa (in role of rashid) , fatma al taei (as amal). educational content of show directed educational advisory committee , representatives of arab bureau of education gulf states (abegs). on february 2017 bidaya media started production on season 2 of relaunch of iftah ya simsim, noura sadaka , natheer khawaldeh didn t come new season. in addition, 2 new muppets introduced cast, ka aki (cookie monster) , elmo. puppeteer , voice actor ammar sabban hired replace natheer khawaldeh gargour , chosen play ka aki, abdullah rafa joined puppeteer team play elmo.