Photos: Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival kicks off

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated this morning, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority. , the 15th session of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival.

Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, under the slogan “Be the Hero of Your Story,” and continues until May 12, at the Expo Center Sharjah.

Mascots greet kids on the opening day of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival at the Expo Centre.

The 12-day festival will include inspiring speeches by industry leaders focused on the publishing sector, especially children's literature.

Attendees can also expect discussions on fostering reading habits and addressing the various obstacles faced by the regional and global book industry.

The festival will welcome visitors with varying schedules throughout the week,  open from 9 AM to 8 PM (Monday to Thursday), 4 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, and over the weekend, the festival will be open from 9 AM to 9 PM, providing ample time for attendees to immerse themselves in the cultural, creative, and edutainment activities on offer.

The SCRF 2024 cultural program is set to shine a spotlight on the vital role of nurturing children's communication skills and creativity. This focus will be illuminated through 70 engaging discussions led by 70 esteemed guests hailing from 24 countries, offering a unique opportunity for cultural exchange.

Among the speakers are renowned figures like American bestselling author and illustrator Jerry Craft, American author Stacey Baer, Malaysian author and trainer Ying Ying Ng, and author Catherine Delos from the Philippines.

Khalid Hussain going through the books on the opening day of Sharjah Children's Reading Festival at Expo Centre.

Representing the Arab world, the festival will welcome notable personalities, including Syrian academic Dr. Taleb Omran, Algerian scholar Dr. El Aid Jlouli, and Omani poet Wafaa Al Shamsi. Furthermore, the UAE will be well-represented by cultural and literary figures such as Aisha Batti Al Shamsi, Rashid Al Rahmani, and Nadia Al Najjar, who will contribute to a vibrant exchange of ideas and celebrate the diversity of cultural expression.