Endings and Beginnings

The House of Wisdom. A place of learning. A true sight to behold, shining like a jewel at the heart of Baghdad. One boy wishes to enter its hallowed walls in search of knowledge. But his true journey — one of secrets, magic, and love — lies far beyond.

It lies within the lamp.

So begins Alyan and the Lamp, an epic adventure, unfolding mystery and tale of love untold, brought to you by the team at Stela. Care to learn more about young Alyan and his journey of discovery? Follow us as we see how this ancient story came to be retold…

A Tale Out of Time

The original tale of “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp” is known to most readers as an ancient Arabic folk tale from the collection A Thousand and One Nights. Oddly enough, though, its true origin is much more mysterious, having been first added to the collection by French translator Antoine Galland. The tale may have no true Arabic origin at all.

Obviously, modern audiences know the tale best because of the 1992 Disney film “Aladdin”, which sent the tale away from the main character’s Chinese connections with the creation of the fictional city of Agrabah, not to mention the quirky tone with the comical, madcap blue genie.

Stela’s rendition veers far astray from Disney’s approach, simultaneously pulling from the story’s roots and moving in a vastly different direction. Alyan’s combined Chinese and Persian backgrounds are heavily explored, with the histories of both cultures having a formative impact on both the imagery and the substance of the story. As for the narrative itself, expect an unfolding mystery full of twists and turns you may never expect.

Alyan is on a journey of growth and self-discovery. Discover along with him in Alyan and the Lamp, available now at Stela Unlimited!