Latest news with #UAEBoardonBooksforYoungPeople
Sharjah 24
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
UAEBbY launches 2025 creative writing competition
Annual initiative This annual competition is part of the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign, launched by the board in 2013 to strengthen the relationship between children and books, promote reading and literary creativity within the UAE community, and offer young creatives the opportunity to develop their abilities and enter the fields of literature and publishing. Unique opportunity Marwa Al-Aqroubi, Chairwoman of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, emphasized that the creative writing competition represents a unique opportunity for children and youth to develop their literary imagination and enhance their skills in expression and writing in Arabic. She noted that creative writing is not just a linguistic skill, but also a tool for developing critical thinking and boosting self-confidence. Supporting young creatives Al-Aqroubi explained that the competition aims not only to discover talents but also to refine and develop them by providing a platform for children and youth to showcase their literary creations. Some previous participants have turned their passion for writing into actual literary projects, demonstrating the positive impact of the competition. Inspiring new experiences The Chairwoman stressed that the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign aims to enhance the role of books in the lives of children and youth, inspiring them to explore new experiences in the world of literature. She invited all children and youth in the UAE to participate in the competition and seize this opportunity to unleash their imagination and literary skills. Submission details The submission period will remain open until July 31, 2025. Stories must be written in Arabic and be the original work of the author, with the option to include illustrations. Texts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format, along with the electronic form available on the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign website. Age categories and prizes Participants will be divided into three age categories: 6 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years, and 13 to 18 years. Each category winner will receive a cash prize of 3,000 AED, along with a collection of valuable books and a certificate of appreciation. Winning stories will also be published on the campaign's website. Impact of the competition Since its inception, the competition has successfully motivated hundreds of children and youth to develop their writing and language skills, encouraging them to continue reading and engaging in literary creativity, paving the way for some young creators to enter the publishing world and turn their texts into printed editions.
Sharjah 24
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Int'l Award for Arabic Children's Literature launch 17th edition
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, along with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who leads the Sharjah Book Authority and is also the Founder and Honorary President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, visited the Sharjah Book Authority's pavilion during the opening of the 16th edition of the festival. Marwa Al Aqroubi, who chairs the UAE Board on Books for Young People, shared with His Highness the vision behind the newly updated award from e&, highlighting the important changes that have been made. This year, the award has introduced a new category called "Non-Fiction." This initiative aims to promote books that share real-life experiences and help spark critical thinking and exploration in young children. In addition to the new category, there are also four other categories: "Early Childhood," "Picture Book," "Chapter Book," and "Young Adult Book." Al Aqroubi announced that the 17th edition of the award is kicking off with fresh aims and a wider reach. It now has a name that highlights its global importance and its role in supporting Arabic literature for children. The award has been recognized for adding valuable books to Arabic libraries. As it moves into this new phase, the goal is to make an even bigger impact and include more participants from different countries who are involved in creating Arabic books for kids and young adults. Al Aqroubi has shared exciting news about a new initiative aimed at getting more people involved and attracting fresh creative talent for an award. They have decided to focus on nonfiction books, which will change every two years. This choice highlights how important nonfiction is for helping people learn through reading and connecting with real-life experiences. Writers and publishers are encouraged to send in their works that blend creativity with awareness, with the goal of cultivating a generation of readers and thinkers who appreciate well-written, high-quality Arabic. At the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, Al Aqroubi had a meeting with Mohammed Al Amimi, who is the Acting General Manager of the Northern Emirates at e&, the main sponsor of the International Award for Arabic Children's Literature. They talked about how to strengthen their partnership and looked for ways to make the award even better, aiming to reach more authors, publishers, and illustrators from around the world. Both agreed on their commitment to promoting reading among children and young adults and finding new ways to inspire a love of books. Al Amimi emphasized that the organization is committed to supporting the International Award for Arabic Children's Literature. This award helps showcase and celebrate creativity in books for children and young adults in the Arab world. It has played a key role in helping many Arab authors grow and encouraging publishing companies to release impressive new titles. As a result, these books have enriched the collection of literature available in Arabic, making reading more enjoyable and engaging for young readers. e& is working together with the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) to support projects that help promote culture and education. This partnership aims to strengthen the UAE's role in community-focused efforts and to highlight the importance of the Arabic language. The award represents a commitment to the future by investing in the book industry and supporting the development of today's and tomorrow's Arab generations. The award has introduced its new website, which showcases its updated identity. This change is part of an exciting new initiative aimed at expanding its presence and influence around the world. The website reflects the award's commitment to reaching a global audience and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. A new award is open for creators of children's and young adult books in Arabic! This includes authors, illustrators, and publishers from all over the world. If you're interested, make sure to submit your work by August 31. The award has a total prize of 1.2 million AED, which will be shared equally among authors, illustrators, and publishers. Additionally, 100,000 AED will be set aside for special training programs through 'Warsha.' To qualify for this award, your work needs to be original and written in Arabic. It must also have been published in print within the last five years and not have received any other awards. Please note that books focused on education, school subjects, science, series, e-books, or audiobooks are not eligible. The Early Childhood category is for books aimed at children from birth to five years old. Publishers can submit up to five books in this category. The Young Adult category is for readers aged 13 to 18 and includes different types of stories, like fiction, nonfiction, and fantasy. In this category, publishers can submit as many books as they want, as long as the stories are fresh, unique, or adapted from something else. The stories should be engaging, with good dialogue, a strong plot, and well-developed characters. For the Picture Book category, which is for ages 5 to 9, publishers can submit a maximum of five books. The Chapter Book category is for kids aged 9 to 12 and emphasizes telling stories through words instead of pictures. Publishers can submit as many of these books as they like, provided they are new, distinctive, or adapted. There's also a new category for nonfiction books aimed at children and young adults up to 18 years old, where publishers can submit as many entries as they want. If you want to participate, you need to send copies of your books through the award's website along with your name. Only officially registered publishing houses can enter, and you can't submit books that have participated before. The judges can choose not to give an award or exclude any book that doesn't meet the requirements, and their decisions are final. Winners will be announced at the opening of the Sharjah International Book Fair in 2025.
Sharjah 24
02-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
"Once Upon a Time" spreads stories of hope in Moroccan schools
Library distribution and content The initiative covered five schools across different regions of Morocco, equipping each library with 200 carefully selected high-quality books suitable for various age groups. The books included topics in literature, science, self-development, and educational stories that promote human values and inspire critical thinking, exploration, and creativity. Interactive reading workshops During the visit of the UAE Board delegation to the participating schools, interactive reading workshops and storytelling sessions were organized with children's literature specialists. This aimed to create a stimulating reading environment, encouraging student interaction with books and enhancing their language and communication skills. The sessions saw significant engagement from children and teachers, who expressed joy at having access to the latest and best Arabic books and stories. Long-Term commitment to literacy Mawra Al-Aqroubi, president of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, stated, "Implementing this initiative again in Morocco reflects our belief that every book given to a child is a seed planted in fertile ground. Distributing these libraries is not a temporary project but a long-term commitment to building a generation of readers and thinkers." She emphasized that books open windows to new worlds of imagination, knowledge, and hope. Inspiring partnerships for future initiatives Al-Aqroubi highlighted the constructive partnership with the Moroccan Board on Books for Young People as an inspiring model for Arab cooperation in children's literature and promoting reading. She hopes this step will lead to larger initiatives across the region and the world, asserting that culture should always serve as a bridge between peoples. Continuation of previous projects This initiative is an extension of previous projects conducted by the UAE Board on Books for Young People in Morocco. In November 2023, "Once Upon a Time" distributed 1,000 books to students at "Moulay Ismail" School in Safrou during the International Children's Book and Youth Fair in Casablanca, aimed at supporting children in remote areas with carefully selected books. Focus on diverse and rich content The "Once Upon a Time" initiative emphasizes the careful selection of books that are rich and diverse in content, appropriate for children's ages and cultures. The mobile libraries distributed include books that respect cultural diversity and promote critical thinking while maintaining identity and uniqueness. Achievements since launch Since its inception in 2015, "Once Upon a Time" has successfully distributed over 15,000 books in several countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, India, and Italy, targeting children in areas facing humanitarian crises or lacking educational resources, as well as refugee camps. This aligns with its vision that building a better future starts with books, and every library opened is a window of hope for children seeking dreams and knowledge.
Gulf Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
New UAEBBY board empowers Emirati women, says Bodour
As part of its participation in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025, the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) announced the formation of its new advisory board, in an initiative underscoring its ongoing commitment to empowering Emirati women and expanding their role in shaping the future of the board's projects and initiatives. This strategic step also aims to leverage the diverse expertise of the new board members to broaden the organisation's local and international partnerships and to further elevate the standing of children's literature within the Arab and global cultural landscapes. The newly formed advisory council brings together a distinguished group of Emirati women leaders, including Aysha Al Hamrani, an acclaimed artist and children's book illustrator known for her interactive storytelling works; Israa Al Mulla, Director of the International School of Storytelling at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, renowned for her extensive expertise in designing storytelling programmes; Amna Al Mazmi, Director of the Kalimat Foundation, widely recognised for her impactful efforts in empowering children's access to knowledge; Fatma AlKhatib, founder of Sidra Publishing House, known for her dedication to high-quality educational content; Moza Al Rand, Head of Events and Planning at the Sharjah Book Authority; and Noura Al Khoury, an acclaimed Emirati author whose children's books and stories have enriched Arabic libraries with educational and values-driven narratives. Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the UAEBBY, emphasised that the formation of the new advisory board is part of a broader strategic vision to expand the organisation's impact and future role. She said: 'This new board reflects our deep belief in empowering Emirati women to take on leading roles in the development of the children's book industry and to contribute meaningfully to the initiatives we organise to promote reading. These talented women bring fresh perspectives that will strengthen the quality of our projects and widen the scope of engagement with authors, illustrators, and children's literature professionals both locally and internationally.' Deepening ties with writers Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY, said: 'As we embark on a new and more advanced phase of our journey, the advisory board will play a key role in enriching and expanding our programming. From launching innovative initiatives that target children and young readers, to deepening cooperation with writers, illustrators, and publishers — this board represents a vibrant think tank capable of proposing creative solutions to advance the children's book sector and foster a deeper culture of reading. With this newly appointed board, the UAEBBY aims to reshape its programmes and events to align with evolving trends in reader engagement and publishing for young audiences. The Board will continue to focus on building the capacities of professionals in the field of children's literature, encouraging them to produce high-quality and innovative content. It also seeks to introduce stimulating, interactive events that fuse storytelling, art, and learning to cultivate reading habits and critical and creative thinking among children and youth. The UAEBBY is also committed to addressing the evolving needs of publishers, authors, and illustrators by offering advanced professional development opportunities and hosting workshops and training sessions focused on both the technical and artistic dimensions of children's literature. It further seeks to foster strong partnerships with cultural and educational institutions to strengthen the presence of children's books in schools and public libraries, while contributing to the creation of an environment that nurtures young readers and creative minds, guided by the belief that building a knowledge-based society begins with the very first book a child reads.
Maroc
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Maroc
SIEL Book Fair to Strengthen Cultural Ties Between Morocco, UAE
The International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL), with Sharjah as this year's guest of honor, is a renewed opportunity to strengthen the bridges of communication and cultural ties between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, said Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, on Friday in Rabat. "The relationship between the UAE, and Sharjah in particular, with the Kingdom of Morocco, is not a recent one. It is rooted in a long-standing tradition of cultural exchange and the transmission of knowledge," Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasized, as quoted in a press release by the Sharjah Book Authority, on the sidelines of the opening of the 30th SIEL, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The great traveler Ibn Battuta, "who visited our region centuries ago, bore witness to the authenticity of heritage and the deeply rooted Arab values, which continue to bring us together today," she noted. "Today, we still draw inspiration from the legacy of Ibn Battuta, from Al Quaraouiyine University, and from the contributions of Sharif Al-Idrissi, to build bridges of communication, culture, and brotherhood between our two countries, and to strengthen the fraternal ties that unite us through our cooperation," she continued. Sharjah's agenda features more than 50 events during the fair, including poetry readings, lectures, children's workshops, and professional meetings with publishers from both countries. Over 18 Emirati institutions are taking part, presenting hundreds of publications. Organizers said the initiative aims to boost translation efforts, publishing deals, and joint distribution. A special program targeting young readers is also being held in partnership with the UAE Board on Books for Young People and the "Kan Ya Ma Kan" initiative, using interactive formats to promote reading and Emirati heritage. MAP: 18 avril 2025
