Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025 Opens Tomorrow With Over 1,000 Engaging Activities

The Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) is set to commence on 23rd April under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and guidance from H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. This event, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, will span 12 days at Expo Centre Sharjah, offering a rich cultural experience for children, youth, and families.

With the theme "Dive Into Books," the festival will host 122 publishers from 22 countries and over 200 writers, illustrators, and cultural figures globally. The programme includes more than 1,024 activities led by 133 guests from 70 countries. A key focus will be on panel discussions addressing publishing trends and challenges in children's literature.

The festival promises an array of interactive experiences with over 600 workshops designed for various age groups. These workshops cover storytelling, arts, crafts, music, creative thinking, and technology. Notable sessions include 'The Art of Thread Drawing', 'Manga Drawing Techniques', and 'Designing Character-Inspired Candles'.

New additions this year include the 'Sherlock Holmes Competition', transforming the venue into a Victorian-era playground filled with mystery and science challenges. The 'Future Makers Museum' offers hands-on activities like excavating dinosaur fossils and launching rockets, blending fun with scientific discovery.

A culinary segment features 85 cooking sessions alongside live demonstrations by renowned chefs from around the world. Additionally, over 150 sessions in the 'Comics Corner' aim to enhance skills in various creative fields. Theatrical performances and roaming acts add vibrancy to the festival atmosphere.

Visitors can enjoy diverse musical and scientific shows throughout the event. Highlights include "Science Street" with Abdullah Anan's thrilling experiments like exploding hydrogen balloons. Other performances feature French entertainer Philippe Bougard in 'Magic in the Air' and dynamic shows such as 'Junklandia' and 'Airfoot Works'.

Festival Schedule

The festival operates daily from 09:00 to 21:00 except Fridays when it opens from 16:00 to 21:00. Visitors can explore a wide range of activities tailored for all ages during these hours.

Adding to the lively atmosphere are festival mascots Wamda, Shoaa, Qalam, and Noqta performing roaming acts throughout the venue’s halls. This ensures an engaging experience for attendees as they navigate through various sections of the festival.

This year's edition aims to foster a love for reading while providing a platform for cultural exchange among participants from different backgrounds. With its diverse offerings, SCRF continues to be a significant event promoting literacy and creativity in the region.

With inputs from WAM