Interactive Media

Shanyraq

By Aiya Sartbayeva and Salama Nasser

Shanyraq is an interactive storytelling installation that invites you on a journey to unite two cultures through collective participation. This experience centers under a beautifully crafted Shanyraq, the traditional wooden dome of a Kazakh yurt, symbolizing the sky and the heart of communal life.

Discover a touching narrative of friendship between an Emirati and a Kazakh boy, enhanced by a rich blend of cultural music, interactive technology, and artistic expression.

Interactive Features

Shanyraq is where tradition meets innovation through the use of Bare Conductive paint. This technology transforms an ordinary surface into an interactive surface. Your touch becomes the key that unlocks the story.

Handprints

Four participants place their hands on the handprints in collaboration to unfold the story.

Musical Instruments

Through this journey, participants are invited to play along with the characters by interacting with the two traditional instruments— the Dombyra and the Oud.
Each touch creates melodies derived from the national anthems of Kazakhstan and the UAE.

Unity

01 Storytelling

Storytelling is a cherished oral tradition that has been practiced by both the UAE and Kazakhstan. It serves as a timeless medium for communal engagement in preserving cultural identity and passing down wisdom from generation to generation. Shanyraq modernizes storytelling by blending digital technology with visual and oral narration to craft engaging narratives.

02 Heritage

The Bedouin tents of the UAE and the traditional Yurts of Kazakhstan represent more than just shelter; they are symbols of hospitality, community, and resilience in harsh environments. These structures serve as tangible expressions of cultural heritage, embodying the nomadic spirit that unites these two cultures.

03 Cultural Practice

The UAE has a rich history of pearl diving, symbolizing resilience and the deep connection to the sea. Kazakhstan's tradition of jewelry making reflects the intricate craftsmanship and artistic expression ingrained in its heritage. Both practices embody the meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship that unite these cultures.

04 Music

The Oud, a string instrument cherished in the UAE, and the Dombyra, a long-necked string instrument revered in Kazakhstan, embody the soulful essence of their respective cultures. Despite their geographical distance, both instruments share striking similarities in their harmonic richness and melodies.