Sharjah: The 10th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) opens on Wednesday at Expo Centre Sharjah, bringing together international authors, illustrators, books, performances and activities for 11 days.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will witness the launch of the festival.
Held under the patronage of Dr Shaikh Sultan and Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of Dr Shaikh Sultan and chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the SCRF is being organised this year under the theme ‘Your Future … Just a Book Away’, with more than 2,600 cultural and literary events and activities by 134 publishers from 18 Arab and foreign countries.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the festival begins with a host of international guests and activities to entertain and educate youngsters.
Coming to Sharjah from five continents, among the many famous international authors, are Britain’s Ed Vere, whose ‘Max the Brave’ is a New York Times best-seller and was named one of The Sunday Times’ 100 modern children’s classics; Varun Pruthi, an Indian humanitarian, actor, director and social media star who has 1.7 million YouTube subscribers.
The festival also hosts a line-up of the Arab world’s most popular authors and artists who have contributed to Arab literature with works that will enrich the cultural landscape for future generations, the SBA said.
There will also be a 3D Book Exhibition to introduce the UAE’s readers to the ancient art of pop-up or three-dimensional books. Visitors will have access to 250 of these books that have been hand-picked by the exhibition curators to represent eight different periods of time, ranging from the 1880s to the year 2000. Running from April 18 to 28 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, SRCF 2018 will feature shows, international authors, poets, storytellers, a 3D exhibition and a cookery corner.
