SCRF sets stage for 3 extraordinary dramas
The plays are all poised to encourage thought and creative appreciation in audiences of all ages
The upcoming 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) has unveiled three multilingual and multicultural theatrical delights as part of its vibrant 12-day cultural agenda.
Three delightfully entertaining plays will be staged on the SCRF 2024 platform between 1st and 12th May in Expo Centre Sharjah.
Along with 1,400 other events and activities inspired by the SCRF 2024 theme, “Once Upon a Hero,” this year’s festival promises to transport young minds into realms of boundless creativity and storytelling magic.
The stellar lineup of theatrical productions, comprising three extraordinary plays, are all poised to encourage thought and creative appreciation in audiences of all ages.
On 10-11 May, between 19:30 and 21:00, the SCRF Ballroom in Hall 5 will stage “Your Choice,” an interactive play that places the audience at the heart of the narrative.
Set in an art school, the play follows a group of students navigating their dreams and aspirations.
Spectators actively participate in shaping the unfolding events, fostering a sense of creativity and collaboration that resonates long after the curtains close.
On 12th May, the interactive play will run from 18:00-19:30.
SCRF, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), is the region’s largest event dedicated to nurturing young readers’ imaginations. Now in its 15th edition, SCRF continues to inspire and educate through a diverse range of cultural, artistic, and edutainment activities.
The SCRF is set to showcase literary talent and creativity, uniting 45 renowned authors and experts from 14 Arab countries who contributed valuable works in the children’s literature domain. The cultural extravaganza will spotlight the creative prowess in children’s and young adult literature, spanning an extensive mix of genres, including science fiction, history, gripping mysteries, thrilling adventures, and transformative educational books.
The festival offers unique opportunities to meet distinguished award-winning Emirati and Arab guests.
The distinguished guests will lead discussions that spotlight the issues and challenges in children’s and young adult literature, offering insights that help overcome them and shape the future of this vital sector.
The festival will host prominent Emirati writers, including Nadia Al Najjar, a key figure in children’s literature.
Al Najjar will provide deep insights into the cultural impact of stories on youth. She also serves as an advisory member of the UAE Board on Books for Young People and is the recipient of the Sharjah Book Fair Award for Best Emirati Book.
She will be joined by Aisha Bati Al Shamsi, specialising in child care and education and director of the Fann Training and Consulting Centre, to share her expertise, particularly in developing early childhood curricula and national standards, and her contribution to literature in child education.
Noura Khouri will join the discussions and share her expertise in children’s literature. She integrates her writing with her volunteer work in motherhood and early childhood and emphasises the UAE’S natural environment and cultural heritage. SCRF will host Dr Taleb Omran from Syria, a prominent figure in the Arab science fiction realm, providing insights into the genre’s role in cultivating awareness and culture among children.
His work encompasses a wide array of genres, spanning books, studies, children’s literature, short stories, and novels.
He will be joined by Dr Al Eid Jalouli, an Algerian academic who works as a professor of Arabic and children’s literature.
He possesses a vast library of works in literature, criticism, language, culture, and children’s literature. His exceptional research papers, which he presented at the International Conference on the Arabic Language in Dubai, earned him a prestigious accolade.
From Oman, Dr. Wafa Al Shamsi, an academic at the United Arab Emirates University specialising in children’s and young adult literature, will join the discussions and share her extensive experience in printed and broadcast media.
She has authored over 50 printed stories and 60 in various radio and television programmes.