Tatweer hosts ‘Creatures That Speak’ literary session

The discussion examined how animals in literature serve as narrative tools to express human values, deep emotions, and complex questions about identity, fear, loyalty, and inner conflict. Participants explored why many writers choose animals as central characters and how these figures become symbolic mirrors reflecting human flaws and social behaviours within indirect, metaphorical contexts.

The session also reviewed selected literary texts in which animals play a central narrative role, highlighting how this approach can simplify complex ideas while conveying profound humanitarian messages without overt directness. The dialogue further addressed the relationship between humans and nature and the role of the environment in shaping literary symbols over time.

Creative application and engagement

A practical activity formed part of the session, during which participants were divided into small groups to develop short-story concepts centred on animal protagonists. The exercise aimed to nurture literary imagination, strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills, and connect theoretical discussion with hands-on creative practice.

Part of Tatweer’s Riwaq initiative

The session falls within Tatweer’s Riwaq programme, which delivers specialised discussion forums to enhance literary and intellectual awareness and to create open dialogue spaces linking literature with human experience and contemporary reality.