Attention, bookworms! Sharjah Children's Reading Festival returns
Ka-TFT, are you ready for a fun and free family day? Check Out the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025!
The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) is happening from April 23 to May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, and guess what? It's absolutely FREE!
What's in it for you?
This isn't just about books—it's an entire world of creativity and learning! Imagine a place where your kids (or even your pamangkins) can enjoy interactive workshops, mind-blowing theatrical performances, and meet their favorite authors and illustrators. From artsy activities to science experiments, there's something for every curious mind.
More than just reading
Ever had a hard time getting the little ones to love books? Maybe you tried bribing them with ice cream or pretending their gadgets ran out of battery (we won't judge!). But at SCRF, books become an adventure! With storytelling sessions, live readings, and creative activities, they won't even realize they're learning!
A festival for everyone
This event is not just for kids—it's for the whole family! Parents can join in on insightful talks about raising book-loving kids, while young adults can explore workshops tailored for their age group. And let's be honest, ka-TFT, we all love a good book fair!
Mark your calendars and bring the whole fam! Whether you're a bookworm or just looking for a cool new experience, SCRF 2025 is the place to be.
FAQ:
What is the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival?
It's more than a festival. Under the management of the Sharjah Book Authority, a governmental entity established in 2014 in Sharjah, this event is an ecstatic celebration that goes beyond one age group, enriching the whole family while instilling a love of reading in the youngest of children.
How much is the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival ticket?
You can attend the event for free.
How long is the Reading Festival?
The event runs for 12 days from April 23 to May 4.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
19-05-2025
- Gulf Today
Greece is Guest of Honour at 44th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair, says Sheikha Bodour
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), emphasised that Greece, with its rich historical legacy and global cultural influence, stands as a vital pillar in the ongoing story of human creativity. She highlighted that the nation, which inspired Homer's epic works, shaped Socratic ideals of virtue, and erected theatres that continue to ignite artistic imagination, embodies a timeless source of knowledge and enlightenment for scholars, thinkers, and writers across centuries. Her remarks came during the signing ceremony announcing Greece as the Guest of Honour for the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). The agreement was formalised by Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; and Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic. Dignitaries at the event. The signing took place at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Centre in Greece. A place where the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue Sheikha Bodour said: 'Sharjah's cultural journey continues to be guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Today, the emirate carries this vision forward by embracing Greek culture. We believe flourishing civilisations are built on dialogue and exchange across geographical boundaries and Sharjah remains committed to this approach'. She added: 'Greece's participation at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair is an exciting opportunity for us all to discover the shared origins of our myths and tales, and other common influences that have shaped human consciousness'. She explained that SBA is working to ensure the 44th edition of SIBF becomes a milestone event, spotlighting a nation that, together with the Arab world, has helped shape the course of civilisation. The Chairperson concluded: 'Sharjah is reinterpreting the past as a tool for self-understanding and engagement with the broader world, and hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, just as we have done with those of Marrakech, Cordoba, Seoul, Rome, and other distinguished capitals at SIBF. Crowds at a previous edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. Hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, says Bodour. File With this, we continue to reinforce the book fair's role as a global platform where collective memory intersects, and the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue.' An evolving intellectual dialogue at every edition of SIBF Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'In line with His Highness's vision to champion global cultural exchange, hosting Greece as Guest of Honour at SIBF 2025 adds to the fair's distinguished record of international partnerships. It presents a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's most influential civilisations, whose legacy continues to shape human thought. Each edition of the fair seeks to open new cultural horizons and foster meaningful intellectual exchange rooted in diversity.' Al Ameri added: 'SIBF has grown from a cultural event into a global hub for publishing and literary innovation, attracting publishers and thought leaders worldwide. "Guided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's leadership, it has become a versatile knowledge platform that connects readers with authors, enriches the publishing industry, and reaffirms Sharjah's status among the world's leading international book fairs.' The cultural pathway between Greece and the UAE further enriched Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of Greece, noted during the signing ceremony: 'We meet today in a spirit of friendship and collaboration that has long defined the relationship between Greece and the UAE. Our presence in Sharjah stems from the dedicated efforts of the Minister of Culture, who has worked to forge a strong foundation for cooperation and a vibrant cultural exchange linking Greece and the UAE. This path is enriched through language, literature, poetry, publications, events, exhibitions and a wide range of cultural initiatives.' He added: 'Our cultural cooperation with SIBF deepens the bond between our nations and peoples. We are curating a rich and engaging programme that showcases the depth of Greek literary and publishing talent, in line with Greece's broader vision of openness, development and expanding global engagement. We deeply thank SBA for its productive collaboration and look forward to building on this dynamic and inspiring partnership.' The best of Greek culture, literature, art and gastronomy at SIBF 2025 As Guest of Honour at the 44th SIBF, Greece will present a diverse programme of cultural and literary events highlighting its heritage's depth and richness. The line-up will span classical philosophy, theatre, poetry, contemporary literature, and visual arts. It will also host leading Greek authors, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as music and art performances inspired by Greek traditions. Educational segments will also spotlight major milestones in Greek cultural history and its enduring contributions to human civilisation.
Gulf Today
18-05-2025
- Gulf Today
Italy's Milan hosts festival of Arabic Language and Culture
Milan is serving as a crossroads for Arabic language and culture as the Italian city hosts the 8th edition of the International Festival of Arabic Language and Culture, sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). Held under the theme 'The migrating tongue: Arabic without borders,' the four-day event showcases the language's worldwide influence, uniting 30 scholars, authors, and intellectuals from 18 nations to celebrate its role as a cultural bridge and a medium fostering cross-border dialogue. Organised by the Arabic Cultural Institute at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, in collaboration with the Arabic Language Research Center, the 2025 edition of the festival launched with key figures including Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the SBA; Professor Giovanni Gobber, Dean of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures; and Professor Wael Farouq, the Institute's Director and the event's academic coordinator. Bringing together a distinguished group of literary and cultural figures from the Arab diaspora, the guests include Libyan author Ibrahim Al-Koni; Iraqi writers Sinan Antoon and Inaam Kachachi; Egyptian authors Ezzat El Kamhawi and May Telmissany; and Yemeni novelist Ali Al-Muqri. It also features leading experts in Arabic linguistics and language education, including Dr Mohamed Safi Al Mosteghanemi, Secretary-General of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah; and Zeinab Taha, Professor and Chairperson of the Arabic Language and Linguistics at the American University in Cairo. Adding further depth to the programme are acclaimed theatre directors and playwrights, including Ahmed Fawzi Saleh and Saleh Zamanan, as well as prominent literary critics and academics, including Francesca Corrao, Professor of Arabic Culture and Language at Luiss University Rome, and renowned literary critic, Subhi Hadidi. During his keynote speech, Al Ameri delivered greetings from His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to the attendees. He noted that the festival's theme underscores Arabic's timeless journey as a language anchored in its origins yet fundamental in shaping global civilisation, channelling knowledge and scientific thought from East to West, and from the Arabian Peninsula across Europe. 'As we gather today, we are reminded of a journey that began more than a thousand years ago, when the physician Constantine the African travelled to Italy carrying Arabic medical texts. This marked the beginning of a new chapter, where Arabic became a gateway to previously unknown sciences. That legacy continues to this day, embodied in the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, who consistently affirms that language is not just a means of communication, but a vessel of culture and a bridge to mutual understanding,' Al Ameri stated. 'His Highness's commitment to Arabic is a firmly held belief, reflected in ongoing cultural projects that promote both the language and global engagement. SBA's festival sponsorship continues that vision, which sees cultural exchange as essential to progress. In Sharjah, we believe that civilisation is not the product of one language or one place, but a collective human achievement, shaped and sustained by diverse peoples, languages, and ideas,' the SBA CEO noted. For his part, Dr. Wael Farouq said: 'We are witnessing a new phase in the journey of the Arabic language as it moves beyond its traditional geographic and cultural boundaries. This development merits thoughtful examination, which is why the Institute of Arabic Culture has dedicated this year's conference to bringing together a distinguished group of Arab and Western intellectuals and academics to explore the phenomenon.' He continued by saying, 'Over the past two decades, rising migration from the Arab world to the West has reshaped the relationship between the two cultures. Arabic language and literature occupy a more central role, with millions of migrants becoming bilingual and many Arab writers in the diaspora producing works in European languages. This has given rise to a new wave of diaspora literature, reminiscent of the early 20th century. At the same time, we are seeing significant growth in teaching modern Arabic and studying its contemporary literature at universities across the West.'
Sharjah 24
12-05-2025
- Sharjah 24
FANN offers programs to develop children's visual arts skills
Huda Safar Al Harmoudi, Deputy Director General of the FUNN Foundation, emphasized the foundation's commitment to providing innovative platforms capable of supporting children and youth in acquiring knowledge and exploring new forms of media art. Training in multimedia techniques In an effort to provide promising talents with the opportunity to explore the basics of filmmaking, FANN continues to organize its 'From Script to Screen' training program, which runs until May 25. The program targets young people between the ages of 15 and 18. Through the program, which Maryam Al Serkal supervises, the foundation seeks to train participants in scriptwriting techniques, filming and directing techniques, and film editing methods. This represents a prelude to enabling young people to produce a group of short films that embody their creative visions. These films will be screened during the next edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, which will be held in October 2025. Eid workshop Meanwhile, Sahar Abdullah is presenting the "Eid with Art 1" workshop, which will run until May 8. Children aged 13-15 will learn how to design Eid-themed packaging, such as gift cards, mugs, posters, and gift box covers. FANN is collaborating with Tamakn to organize the "Eid with Art 2" workshop, which will be held on May 14 and 15, 2025. Participants will learn the details of the creative process of designing Eid envelopes and cards using digital tools. The Foundation is also preparing to organize the "Family Photography" workshop on May 24 and 25. Ola Al Loz will introduce young people aged 15-18 to key photography techniques, lighting elements, image composition, and visual storytelling methods using photography. She will also focus on family portraiture. Concluding participation in SCRF On another note, FANN recently concluded its participation in the 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF), hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah. During the event, it organized the "From Page to Virtual Reality" workshop, aiming to enhance children's digital creativity and develop their imagination by integrating art with technology. Supervised by Sahar Abdullah, the workshop introduced children to virtual reality technologies in fun and creative ways, as well as character drawing techniques and how to transform them into interactive three-dimensional objects. FANN also held the "Once Upon a Time in My Book" workshop, presented by Emma Creswell, which aimed to develop children's creative writing skills and motivate them to express their ideas by creating a story inspired by their imagination, along with designing its cover using various drawing tools, with the aim of developing their imagination and storytelling skills.
