Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival kicks off May 11 under the theme "Create Creativity"

SHARJAH - The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) on Sunday announced that the 13th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) is scheduled to start on May 11.

The 12-day event will run until May 22, in Expo Centre Sharjah, said the organisers. 

Under the theme ‘Create Creativity’, a host of international writers and experts will lead diverse, inclusive activities, taking the young generation on a journey to unleash their creativity, hone their skills and expand their knowledge.

 Underscoring the importance of SCRF in the UAE’s cultural calendar, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “SCRF provides the younger generations with a unique platform to pursue their passions, explore curiosities and acquire new knowledge. The international event reflects the vision of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), and is focused on building creative and enlightened generations capable of leading their nation’s developmental journey and achieving its goals.”

He added: “Through SCRF, we are keen on providing an unlimited space for children to learn, unearth their talents, sharpen their skills, and discover their capabilities because cultural and developmental projects cannot be successful without investing in the young generations. Today, nations do not measure their value and status by their wealth but through the ambitions and potential of their youth.”

“In addition to broadening the creative horizons of children and youth, SCRF supports Sharjah’s efforts to advance the publishing sector regionally and internationally, particularly children’s literature. The festival brings together publishers and illustrators of children’s and YA literature to exchange knowledge and expertise, and at the same time, highlight the emirate’s advanced infrastructure and wealth of opportunities and services available to expand the global publishing markets,” the SBA Chairman concluded. 

Commenting on the event’s popularity, Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SCRF, said: “Since the inaugural edition in 2010, the event has been providing a nurturing space for children and youth to realize their passions and aspirations and at the same time provide invaluable knowledge in literature, science, and arts. Children also forge new friendships, buy new books, and set their goals during the festival.”

She added: “This year, the festival has designed the theme ‘Create Creativity’ to provide a space for children to build their unique worlds without any limitations. The younger generations have immense energies that can help them rediscover themselves and build their realities through learning and innovation. SCRF provides the platform to achieve this by ensuring that a diversity of publishers participate in the festival and a bevy of creative and educational workshops and exhibitions are on offer to entertain them.”

SCRF was launched under the directive of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, and the patronage of HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, to instil and preserve the culture of reading in the emirate.