Sharjah: On Wednesday, H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2024). Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the festival is themed ‘Once Upon a Hero’ and will continue until May 12th at the Expo Centre Sharjah. The opening ceremony saw the warm reception of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, signifying the official commencement of the festival.
The event drew a notable assembly of dignitaries, including Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, among others. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the beginning, followed by a musical tribute to H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi by a Sharjah-based group.
During his tour of SCRF, Sheikh Sultan witnessed the participation of 186 Arab and foreign publishers from 20 countries, hosting over 1,500 cultural, artistic, and educational activities. These activities involve 265 guests from 25 countries, comprising renowned writers, artists, publishers, and illustrators.
The Ruler explored pavilions representing various entities such as the Sharjah Private Education Authority, Emirates Publishers Association, and Supreme Council for Family Affairs. He also engaged with the House of Wisdom, Rubu’ Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, and Sharjah Public Libraries, among others, learning about their cultural and educational endeavors to promote reading among children.
Additionally, Sheikh Sultan visited pavilions of the Department of Culture, Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Kalimat Group, and Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, where he was briefed on their efforts in supporting literature, authors, and publishing.
Honors were bestowed upon winners of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Award and the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award, with special mention of Kyoung mi Ahn, Juan Carlos Palomino, and Daniela Stamatiadi. Notably, Maitha Al Khayyat, Dr. Tariq Al Bakri, and Julia Johnson were recognized across various categories of the Sharjah Children’s Book Award.
Further accolades were granted to Lina Mustafa Al-Zebaq for the Sharjah Audio Book Award and Brigadier General Dr. Muhammad Khamis Al Othmani for the Books for Visually Impaired Children Award, emphasizing inclusivity in literature.
The festival underscores the pivotal role of reading in shaping children’s futures and nurturing creativity. With a diverse array of workshops, performances, and panel discussions, SCRF 2024 aims to inspire young minds and foster a love for literature and learning.
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Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Sheikh is about Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Sheikh
