From Emirati comfort food to Korean coins to Turkish ice cream, there’s something for every palate at this year’s 12-day annual festival being held at the Sharjah Expo

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Between the magical pages of books and the lively workshops at this year’s Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), there’s another delightful world ready to be explored – the food!

If you didn’t know – the 12-day annual festival being held at the Sharjah Expo Centre until May 4 is serving up an incredible variety of flavours that reflect its global spirit, from the cobbled streets of Istanbul to the bustling alleyways of Seoul, to the warmth of a traditional Emirati kitchen.

Trainer Hamsa Younus help children understand the nature, safety and challenges relating to trending content at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival

Sharjah, May 4, 2025

Content creator and life coach Hamsa Younus cautioned school children about viral trends circulating on social media, helping them to understand their nature, and how to assess their safety and make informed decisions about participating in challenges and trends online during the “Viral Trends – Fun or Dangerous?” session at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025).

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.”