The Hynaka story
How did Hynaka come about?
Today, audio is the starting point of a world meant to grow far beyond stories.
And because a story can go on living long after the listening, Hynaka also wants to create chances to carry it further as a family: a question, a memory, a conversation, a story you tell in your turn.
Because passing something on can begin with the simple pleasure of sharing a story.
Who is behind Hynaka?
Behind Hynaka is Kahina Ziouche, a French woman of Algerian descent, mother of three, and a professional in children’s entertainment and in creating experiences for children.
For many years, she has been imagining worlds and content that invite children to play, explore, feel and marvel.
But Hynaka was also born from a far more personal story.
As a child, Kahina grew up with the stories her grandparents told her. Tales passed on by voice, full of memories, traditions and imagination, which left a deep mark on her.
Years later, as she in turn was telling a story to her own children, a question took hold of her: where are the wonderful heroes who also carry something of our faces, our cultures, our music and our stories?
For although the imaginative worlds of the Maghreb, the Mediterranean and the Middle East are immensely rich, they are still too rarely at the heart of the great universes made for children.
Hynaka was born from that reflection.
A world where heroes with Mediterranean and Eastern roots can go on great adventures, wield magic, gaze at the stars, cross extraordinary kingdoms and make every child dream.
With Hynaka, Kahina isn’t only trying to represent origins. She wants to pass things on without boxing anyone in.
To let some children recognise, in a hero, a piece of music or a story, something that resembles them. And to let all the others discover this imaginative world, love it and dream with the very same characters.
Because our roots can tell where we come from without ever deciding how far we can go.
Hynaka was born from this conviction: stories can pass on a culture, bring children closer together and give them the freedom to dream beyond borders.
What you are told tonight, you will tell one day.
Kahina Ziouche
Founder & creator of Hynaka