A new Arabic version of children’s favourite TV show Sesame Street is set to return to our screens soon, after the latest TV company took shape in Abu Dhabi.
Bidaya (Arabic for “Beginning”) has been established at twofour54, Abu Dhabi’s media and creative hub, to create high-quality educational media content in Arabic for the Arab Gulf States, with the debut of new content in the next few weeks.
The new company aims to complement educational efforts in literacy, basic mathematical skills and language abilities for young children, and as such, Bidaya’s inaugural project will be the Iftah Ya Simsim Educational Initiative, an Arabic-language adaptation of Sesame Street.
Bidaya will seek out the best local talent to recreate the magic of the first Arabic adaptation of Sesame Street that enchanted children over 20 years ago. In addition to the TV series, the company plans to produce a variety of media content with the objective of achieving measurable educational gains for children in early school years. Bidaya will be using twofour54’s broadcasting and production facilities; while twofour54’s creative lab community will support Bidaya by identifying and sourcing local talent.
Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54, said: “Our strategy is to establish relationships with public and private institutions from across the region that have a passion for children and understand the importance of education,” said Robert Knežević, vice president of Sesame Street International.
“This initiative represents the best practices, methodologies and global experience to create local content that is unique to Sesame Street – appealing, practical, developmentally appropriate, and relevant to parents as well as children.
“We are excited that the home for the new Iftah Ya Simsim will be at twofour54. Creating locally relevant, Arabic language content for present and future generations is about realising our vision. The fact that the Bidaya team will be working closely with young, talented Emiratis and other Arabs makes the return of Iftah Ya Simsim even more special .”
Various organisations from across the region have already pledged support and cooperation with the Iftah Ya Simsim Educational Initiative including the GCC Joint Program Production Institution. The original Iftah Ya Simsim first aired in the Middle East and North Africa region between 1979 and 1990.
