Writers from diverse backgrounds share their personal journeys and practical insights on navigating the self-publishing landscape during a Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival discussion

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

From overcoming personal challenges to building global readerships, independent authors are redefining the publishing landscape on their terms. At the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), a panel discussion titled ‘Self-publishing is more than simply uploading a manuscript’ brought together Arab and international voices to explore the journey behind going to print. Speakers emphasised that self-publishing is not just about the writing, but about owning the creative process, understanding the market, and forging genuine connections with readers.

Italy’s Florence Pops Orchestra and Studio Ghibli Composer Tamiya Terashima deliver unforgettable symphonic tribute

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

The 3rd edition of the Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) provided an unforgettable musical homage to Studio Ghibli on its third night (Saturday). Performed by Italy’s ‘Florence Pops Orchestra’, under the joint direction of Tamiya Terashima, renowned Studio Ghibli composer; and Maestro conductor Carlo Chiarotti; the concert was titled “In the Heart of Anime: A Tribute Concert to Studio Ghibli.”

Organised by Sharjah Book Authority, the 3rd Sharjah Animation Conference featured an exclusive workshop with Japanese legend Ai Ikegaya, creator of ‘Stick It on Around! Koinu’

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Renowned Japanese animation director Ai Ikegaya captured the imagination of the audience during a workshop titled “Behind the Scenes of ‘Stick It on Around! Koinu’: The Creative Process Behind Drawing & Animating the Characters,” at the Sharjah Animation Conference 2025. Breaking from convention, Ikegaya opened the session by asking the audience, “What would you hope to learn from this workshop?”; a gesture that set the tone for an intimate, interactive deep dive into her whimsical world of anthropomorphic dogs and workplace absurdity.

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Japanese director Nobuyoshi Habara shared highlights from his personal and professional journey, alongside insights into the creative experiences he and his wife, director Kumiko Habara, have had in the world of animation.

At a Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) 2025 discussion titled “Inside the Making of the Anime Hit, Starblazers”, he recalled developing a passion for anime from a young age and creating his first animated film during high school with the help of friends from other schools. The 30-minute film, consisting of 1,000 images, was completed over three years and showcased at a school arts festival.