BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday, 30 September 2026 – The Storytelling Training Workshop for Tour Guides of the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB), organised by BKISHHB, concluded today following a six-day programme conducted in two groups.
The workshop was part of an in-house training programme aimed at strengthening communication, presentation and storytelling skills among BKISHHB officers and Gallery Coordinators.
The second group attended the workshop from 28 to 30 September 2026, following the first group which took place on 23, 24 and 26 September 2026.
The workshop was conducted by Jimmy Leong, a storytelling specialist from Malaysia who is recognized as a Certified UNESCO Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide Trainer.
Throughout the workshop, participants were introduced to various aspects of the art and practice of storytelling, including the fundamental concepts of storytelling, storytelling techniques and methods of applying such approaches within the context of museum and gallery interpretation.
The training also emphasized elements that contribute towards making stories more engaging and effective, methods of selecting and delivering stories effectively, the use of vocal expression, as well as approaches to conveying heritage values and meaningful narratives that are memorable and accessible to visitors.
In addition to the theoretical sessions, participants also took part in practical exercises and guided tour simulations at Exhibition Galleries 1 to 9, BKISHHB. The sessions provided participants with opportunities to apply the storytelling techniques acquired during the training in actual guided tour settings.
The closing ceremony was further enlivened by the presentation of certificates of participation to the participants by Jimmy Leong, as the workshop facilitator.
The workshop aimed to enhance the communication and presentation skills of BKISHHB tour guides, enabling them to deliver information in a more professional, effective and engaging manner, while further strengthening the use of storytelling in presenting information relating to the collections and exhibition content.
The storytelling approach is also expected to assist tour guides in delivering exhibition content in a more interactive and accessible manner to visitors from diverse backgrounds, while enhancing their confidence and professional capabilities in conducting guided tours.
The initiative is expected to contribute towards providing visitors with a more meaningful experience, with greater emphasis placed on the aspect of ‘Visitor Experience’ in the delivery of interpretation at BKISHHB.
The organisation of the Storytelling Training Workshop reflects BKISHHB’s commitment towards strengthening human resource competencies, particularly in the areas of interpretation and visitor experience, in line with BKISHHB’s role as an institution dedicated to preserving, showcasing and introducing the heritage and treasures of Islamic knowledge to the public.