SCRF 2024 enriches and inspires 157,000 visitors with 1,000 hours of edutainment activities

The 15th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival concludes on a high note after providing
12 days filled with over 1,500 activities led by some of the world’s brightest minds 

• Ahmed Al Ameri: SCRF is a testament to the fundamental role Sharjah plays in nurturing young minds who will lead us into our future.
• Khoula Al Mujaini: This festival is inspiring successive generations to become the architects of tomorrow…

Sharjah, May 13, 2024

As the 15th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2024) drew to a close on Sunday, it marked a new chapter in its ongoing journey of fostering creativity and knowledge to 157,381 visitors throughout the 12 days, amassing more than 1,000 hours of enriching content.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme ‘Once Upon a Hero’, the festival, held at Expo Centre Sharjah, hosted over 1,500 activities including workshops, panel discussions, and performances, spanning various domains such as literature, arts, sports, technology, illustration, music, and more. This event was a reflection of the visionary leadership and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA). Their focus on nurturing the knowledge and creativity of the youth, along with enhancing their life skills, aligns with Sharjah’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-driven society.

To further the Sharjah Ruler’s support of the regional and global book industries, His Highness has ordered the allocation of AED2.5 million to buy the latest titles from participating publishers and booksellers participating in SCRF 2024.

The Ruler of Sharjah presented honours to the winners of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Award and the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award. The first place was secured by Kyoung mi Ahn from South Korea, followed by Juan Carlos Palomino from Mexico in second place, and Daniela Stamatiadi from Greece in third. His Highness also recognised the winners of three encouragement prizes: Montserrat Batet Creixell from Spain, Santiago Solís from Mexico, and Mitra Abdollahi from Iran.

Vibrant myriad of cultural and creative diversity

The festival showcased a vibrant myriad of cultural and creative diversity in literature, welcoming 186 publishers from 20 countries.  The 12-day festival embodied a spirit of openness and knowledge exchange, offering a rich visitor experience through sessions and activities led by 265 distinguished luminaries in literature and art from 25 countries. This global diversity not only enhanced the festival’s cultural standing but also drew in a diverse audience of various nationalities and age groups. The festival’s comprehensive programme also included 12 theatrical and roaming performances led by 19 artists from 12 countries, and the cultural programme included various panel discussions on developing children’s communication skills, led by 70 experts from 25 countries.

A compass to a youth-centred future

Commenting on the successful conclusion of SCRF’s 15th edition, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: “As we bid farewell to SCRF 2024, we feel extremely grateful to be led by the insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), that serve as our cultural compass, leading us towards continuing to pave the way for a youth-centred future, under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA. Every child who smiled or learnt something, at the event, each story that was told and each book children brought home, are a testament to the fundamental role Sharjah plays in nurturing young minds who will lead us into our future. It also reinforces our commitment towards creating a knowledge-based society based on the pillars of culture and inclusive, sustainable development.”

Reinforcing Sharjah’s status as a centre of knowledge and creativity

Khoula Al Mujaini, the General Coordinator of SCRF, said, “Each edition of SCRF reaffirms our conviction that culture serves as a platform for our children to prepare for the future, where reading plays a pivotal role in unlocking their true potential. SBA continues to reinforce Sharjah’s status as a thriving hub of knowledge and creativity. This festival is inspiring successive generations to become the architects of tomorrow, adding a new chapter to the emirate’s global cultural initiative, which continues to emphasise the critical role of reading in nurturing society.”

Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award and Poetry Knights

Another highlight of the festival was announcing the winners of the 12th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award, alongside the anticipated Poetry Knight Competition. 

Latifa Al Kitbi was announced first-place winner of the 12th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award, second place went to Jury Al Mazmi, and Munira Al Kaabi came in third place.

The Poetry Award winners were distinguished across different age categories, and winners of the primary school category (grades 1 to 4), were Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim, Mahra Abdullah, and Emirat Firas, who secured the first, second, and third place respectively. For the middle school category (grades 5 to 8), Hamed Ahmed Al Hafiti, Maryam Yahya Al Badri, and Mishaal Mohsen claimed the top three positions. In the high school category (grades 9 to 12), the students who excelled and secured the first three places were Ahmed Omar Zafar, Sumaya Elias Nadiri, and Mansour Mohammed.

Rasha Rizk delights SCRF audience

Renowned artist Rasha Rizk delivered an enchanting performance to the SCRF audience, featuring beloved cartoon theme songs. The nostalgic journey aimed to reconnect the current generation of youth with childhood innocence, evoking cherished memories on Saturday evening, graciously invited by the festival organisers.

Engaging world-class experiences

At the SCRF 2024 Theatre, one of the standout productions was the Kuwaiti play “Your Choice.” Set in an art school, the play delves into the common challenges of school life, such as forging friendships, dealing with bullying, and navigating the complexities of being a new student.

The Comics Corner at the festival curated 132 engaging activities, including workshops and panel discussions led by 31 creatives from 4 countries. Simultaneously, the Cookery Corner emerged as a culinary haven, hosting 60 informative seminars and 36 live cooking sessions conducted by 25 esteemed chefs and experts from 12 countries.

In a special focus on the youth, the festival enhanced its cultural offerings with the ‘Kids Creative Café,’ where talented children shared their inspiring stories and life experiences, showcasing the knowledge they have acquired.

-ENDS-