All about the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2024
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) returns for its 15th edition, bigger and better than ever. The annual event’s theme this year is ”Once Upon a Hero” and is expected to welcome as many as 400 guests from all over the world. Want to know more about the event? We bring you everything you need to know.
ABOUT SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL
The SCRF is one of the popular annual events in Sharjah. The festival was initially launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme Council Member. It celebrates excellence in young adult literature.
The festival aims to instil a love for reading in children by introducing them to renowned authors and writers. Sharjah Book Authority chairman Ahmed Al Ameri called the event a forerunner of ‘knowledge and creativity in young minds.’
“[The festival] is investing in building the future of our country by paving the way for our children and youth to attain their goals and be loyal patrons of Sharjah’s cultural vision, as well as our rich Arab culture.”
SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL 2024 DATES
The Children’s Reading Festival will commence from May 1st and end on the 12th of the same month. It will take place at Sharjah Expo Centre. Over 400 guests from 66 countries are expected at the festival.
- Price of tickets: Free event
- Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Timing: 09:00 am to 08:00 pm (Monday to Thursday) | 04:00 pm to 09:00 pm (Friday) | 09:00 am to 09:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
ACTIVITIES AT SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL 2024
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival brings various exciting activities for young readers. You can expect workshops, plays, shows and more.
WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival workshops offer kids a unique opportunity to hone their developmental, social, and creative skills. You can sign up your child for any of these popular sessions.
Children’s Programme / Workshops
Kids can look forward to some of these activities at the festival:
- Kelly the Robot: Until May 6th | Halls and Lobbies
- Magic Carpet: Until May 6th | Go Sustainable
- Furniture Making: Until May 6th | Workstation
- Mastermind: Until May 4th | The Brain
Comics Exhibition / Entertainment
The Comics Exhibtion at the festival will take place in Hall 3, which is the Comics Corner.
- Riddles and Quizes: Until May 11th
- Art Space: Until May 11th
- Panel Talk: Until May 5th
Cookery Corner
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2024 also features a Cookery Corner where attendees can watch delicious recipes prepared live. All of the following will be available in Hall 6.
- South Asian Cuisine: Until May 3rd | Zayna Din
- Middle Eastern Cuisine: Until May 5th | Imad Alarnab
- Delicious Recipes: Until May 6th | Natalia Samoilova
- Chef Omari McQueen: Until May 5th
Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition
Here are some of the attractions visitors can look forward to at this exhibition:
- Free Painting: Until May 6th | Hall 5
- Bird Feeder: Until May 6th | Go Sustainable
- Environmentally Friendly Transport Truck: Until May 6th | Go Sustainable
- Ibn Majid Compass: Until May 6th | Go Sustainable
Cultural Programme
- How Children’s Poetry be Made a Worthwhile Educational Objective?: May 1st | Cultural Forum | Muhammad Gamal Amr
- From Timid to Confident, Empowering through Communication: May 1st | Professor David Ngo
- Enhancing a Positive Self Image: May 1st | Amal Al-Randi Shaima Mohammad Al Marzouqi
- The Correlation Between Math and Music: May 2nd | Dr Aziz Ifzarn, Ying Ying Ng
Guests 2024
The list of honoured guests expected to make an appearance at the festival is extensive. They include:
- Abdalla Saleh Saeed
- Ahmed Saif Al Shamsi
- Catherine Dellosa
- Deeba Zargarpur
- Dr. Samira Al Hosani
- Farah Mustafa
- Effat Barakat
FAQs
IS THERE AN ENTRY FEE TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL SHARJAH?
No, you can attend the event for free.
WHAT IS SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL LOCATION?
The annual Children’s Reading Festival will take place at Expo Centre Sharjah.
HOW TO CONTACT SCRF?
You can call them at +971-800-BOOKS (26657) or email them at info@scrf.ae.
That brings us to the end of our guide on Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. The festival offers an excellent opportunity for kids to broaden their knowledge pool through discussions, workshops, seminars and art performances.
WHERE TO BUY BOOKS IN SHARJAH?
Want to catch up on your reading? Visit any bookshops in Sharjah, like Al Mutanabbi and Goyal. For culture enthusiasts, the Sharjah House of Wisdom is a good option.
This is not the first time Sharjah has organised such an event. The UAE’s cultural capital is also famous for its literary pursuits and festivals.
Sharjah Beach Library Initiative is a testament to the emirate’s commitment to knowledge and learning. Similarly, the Sharjah Public Library has various books, novels, scientific journals, audio-visual aids and more for avid readers.
You can always dig into those collections and books at the Sharjah libraries. But if you ever want to update your inventory, you can visit online bookshops in the UAE.
