Sharjah: The greatest celebration of knowledge, creativity, art, and innovation of its type in the region, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), will return for its 15th edition on May 1. The much-awaited occasion will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 12.
The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the festival’s organizer, has stated that young readers, artists, and creatives, along with their families, will have an action-packed 12-day program. While the centerpiece of SCRF 2024 will be millions of books, including the newest releases in children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature from around the world, the event will also feature the largest platform for cultural and artistic appreciation in the region, complete with theatrical productions, cooking demonstrations, workshops in STEM, social media, music, and several other interesting fields, as well as engaging competitions, activities, and animation events.
The literary program of SCRF 2024 will include book signings, storytelling sessions, children’s reading programs, and other literary workshops along with conversations with Arab and international writers, publishers, athletes, and media figures.
Additionally, SCRF will keep providing its top-notch networking platform to publishers, booksellers, literary agents, writers, illustrators, artists, librarians, cultural and literary organizations, and governments worldwide. Through these connections, they can explore joint ventures and find ways to improve the local and regional publishing and creative industries landscapes.
The winners of the most recent iterations of the esteemed awards, the Sharjah Children’s Book Award, the Books for Visually Impaired Children Award, and the Sharjah Audio Book Award, that SBA created to promote the children’s literary sector will be revealed.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, remarked that, “The festival reflects the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), furthering our unwavering commitment to human development and the advancement of intellectual and creative capacities, which serve as foundational elements of sustainable progress here in the UAE.”
“SCRF assumes a pivotal role in Sharjah’s dedication to nurturing knowledgeable and conscious generations. Aligned with our leadership’s commitment to identifying and nurturing children’s talents, the festival serves as a vibrant platform conducive to learning, entertainment and an appreciation for the arts, while also facilitating an environment for professionals in children’s and young adult literature to exchange best practices and insights,” Al Ameri added.