Horizons of SCRF’S popularity become significantly broader
The festival r eflect s SBA’S vision t o pr omot e ever yt hing t hat cont r ibut es t o forming the minds and personalities of knowledge hungr y and inquisitive children
The curtains have drawn to a close on the cultural spectacle that was the 14th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). The Expo Centre Sharjah was transformed into a plaform of creativity, arts, and culture, providing over 1,300 hours of educational activities for more than 122,000 visitors, including children, youth, parents, students, artists, and writers. SCRF’S theme of “Train your Brain’’ enabled visitors of all ages to embark on a 12-day journey of discovery, exploring new worlds of imagination and learning.
Aligned with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and ruler of sh arja hand under the direction of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, SCRF 2023, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) embodied Sharjah’s objective of empowering future generations, honing their skills, and unleashing their potential. With a wide range of activities, panel discussions, and workshops in arts, sports, technology, illustration, and music, the festival offered a rich and diverse programme designed to inspire, entertain, and educate.
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has taken concrete steps to further SCRF’S efforts in promoting children’ s literature. in a generous gesture, he has allocated Dhs2.5 million towards the purchasing of books from publishers participating in the festival, cement in gs cr f’ s commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning among the youth.
The festival hosted 141 publishers from around the world and 457 guests from 66 countries who delivered an impressive 1,732 engaging workshops and sessions showcasing their latest works in the children’s literary scene. SCRF 2023 has proven to be a resounding success, demonstrating the power of literature in shaping young minds and providing a plaform for creative expression and cultural exchange.
SUPPORTING THE BOOK DISTRIBUTION SECTOR: The emirate also played host to the second edition of the Booksellers Conference, a gathering of 383 book distributors hailing from 69 countries around the world. The conference was a vibrant forum for the exchange of ideas and insights into the everchanging landscape of book distribution, as well as an opportunity for delegates to explore fresh avenues in new markets. The conference provided a plaform for frank discussions on the realities of the book distribution ecosystem, as well as an opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together and chart a path forward in this dynamic industry. With so many accomplished distributors in atendance, the event was a prime venue for the sharing of best practices, as well as an occasion for networking and forging new partnerships.
CATERING TO DIVERSITY THROUGH SHOWS FEATURINGVARIOUS CULTURES: ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF the festival was a theatrical production titled ‘Alone at Home’, a collaborative production between SBA, Nujum from the UAE, and Kuwaiti Panther Media Production, featuring talented Emirati and Kuwaiti actors. In addition, the festival’s diverse agenda includes the Urdu and Hindi comedy play Akbar the Great Nahi Rahe, a testament to the emirate’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
The cultural extravaganza also welcomed 68 distinguished guests from 21 countries, comprising a dynamic group of artists, writers, and creators who led engaging panel discussions tackling some of the most pressing issues confronting the world today. Atendees also had the opportunity to atend sessions aimed at developing communication skills for children, nurturing their creative and intellectual potential, and unleashing their innovative capabilities.
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE: THE festival featured a smorgasbord of activities that appealed to visitors of all ages. The festival’ s included 323 comic-cent red events, 72 Social Media Station experiences, and 30 culinary activities at Cookery Corner. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Exhibition for Children’s Book Illustrations offered a variety of engaging workshops and training sessions.
Beyond the festival’s immersive activities, esteemed institutions and government agencies were among those who contributed to the festival’s resounding success. Collaborating with the Sharjah Book Authority, these entities organised exciting events, engaging reading sessions, and competitive activities that garnered widespread public interest and atendance. The festival’s extensive reach was also felt through its coverage across numerous local, Arab, and international media plaforms.