Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2025 Officially Inaugurated By His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 16th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) on Wednesday. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the festival is held at Expo Centre Sharjah with the theme "Dive into Books" and runs until May 4. The event celebrates children's literature, creativity, and learning.
Upon arrival, H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi was welcomed by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority; Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention; and Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, Egypt’s Minister of Culture.
The festival features over 1,024 cultural, artistic, and entertainment events. These include creative workshops, theatrical performances, interactive sessions, and specialised reading activities for children and families. More than 133 distinguished guests from 70 countries are participating this year.
H.H. toured the festival halls showcasing 122 Arab and international publishing houses from 22 countries. He visited several pavilions to learn about their programmes aimed at fostering a culture of reading among younger generations.
At the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), H.H. met with representatives from the Egyptian Board on Books for Young People (EBBY), this year’s guest of honour. Discussions focused on strengthening cultural collaboration between the UAE and Egypt in children's literature development.
H.H. also launched the "Reader of the Century" platform at the Sharjah Children's Pavilion under Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators. This initiative targets children aged 6 to 18 to enhance their connection with literature.
Awards and Recognitions
The Ruler of Sharjah honoured recipients of various awards during his tour. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi received the English Children's Book Award for her book House of Wisdom. Egyptian author Mohamed Kasbar won for Shhh... This is a Secret in Arabic Children's Book category.
The Sharjah Children's Book Illustrations Awards recognised Luis Miguel San Fernando from Mexico with first prize. Cristina Pieropan from Italy secured second place while Ami Shin from South Korea earned third.
Cultural Sessions and Performances
This year's edition includes over 50 cultural sessions led by renowned international authors and illustrators. Additionally, there are 85 theatrical performances presented by artists worldwide.
The festival introduces new activities like the Future Makers Museum and Sherlock Holmes Exhibition alongside creative workshops such as manga drawing, comic book art, string art, spinning robots, and interactive scientific experiments.
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival remains a key cultural initiative in the emirate's mission to cultivate young readers equipped with creativity and critical thinking skills. Through engaging activities and thoughtful preparation, it empowers youth to contribute actively towards shaping a better future.
With inputs from WAM
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