A cultural celebration attracting not only children, but extending the joy of learning to parents and adults in a family- friendly atmosphere

Sharjah: It’s time for the biggest retreat for children in the UAE.

The 11th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) is all set to enthral children’s imagination from April 17 to 27 at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

This year’s festival is the largest in terms of participation and activities; around 2,600 activities featuring 198 guests from 56 countries are scheduled during the 10-day fest.

Last year, the event had more than 300,000 visitors.

Being held under the theme ‘Explore Knowledge’, it is the only festival in the region dedicated especially to UAE’s children and youth.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the festival will also host a series of film screenings and international theatre shows, in addition to showcasing a multitude of publications by 167 publishers from 18 countries who will be participating at the event.

The festival has gone beyond just a book exhibition and developed into an integrated event that contributes to enriching the knowledge of visitors with science and literature, while ensuring the participation of organisations and centres dedicated to children.

The event is held under the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the patronage Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA),

Ahmad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “Since its inception, Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival has been a hive of reading and the expression of creativity has opened the doors of knowledge and culture to young generations, and most importantly highlighted the importance of making reading a lifelong habit.”

Achieve sustainable integration among the RQ entities through designing and delivering programs, activities and events which fulfill future requirements, in collaboration with local and international partners; aiming at unleashing, developing, and investing in the potential of children, adolescents and youth in an Emirati environment which inspires creativity and innovation to develop mindful and influential generations.