Sharjah: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) will open tomorrow, ushering in 12 days of vibrant cultural exchange, creative exploration, and engaging activities for children, youth, and families.
According to Emirates News Agency, the festival, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme "Dive Into Books," will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah. It will host 122 publishers from 22 countries and over 200 writers, illustrators, and cultural figures from the UAE and around the world. This year's programme includes 1,024 activities led by 133 guests from 70 countries.
The agenda features over 35 panel discussions addressing the current landscape of publishing, with a special focus on children's literature. These sessions will explore strategies for fostering a reading culture and tackling challenges in the regional and global book industry. Additionally, the festival will present a mobile exhibition, theatrical performances, and a variety of complimentary and ticketed workshops.
The 12-day festival will include over 600 workshops tailored for children, adolescents, and adults, along with 85 cooking sessions and more than 30 live sessions by acclaimed chefs from the region and beyond. Complementing these activities are over 150 sessions in the 'Comics Corner', which aim to nurture skills in storytelling, science, arts, crafts, music, creative thinking, and technology. Standout sessions include 'The Art of Thread Drawing', 'Manga Drawing Techniques', 'Designing Character-Inspired Candles', and more.
A new addition to this year's edition is the 'Sherlock Holmes Competition', transforming the festival into an immersive Victorian-era playground with mystery, science, and deductive challenges. The 'Future Makers Museum' will blend scientific discovery with hands-on fun, inviting children to engage in activities like excavating dinosaur fossils and launching rockets.
The festival will also feature 85 theatrical and roaming performances, along with a variety of musical and scientific shows for visitors of all ages. Highlights include "Science Street," where Abdullah Anan will present thrilling experiments, and 'The Golden Generation: A Musical Evening with the Spirit of the East Choir.' Other performances will include 'Magic in the Air', 'Junklandia', and 'Winged Wonders', among others. Festival mascots Wamda, Shoaa, Qalam, and Noqta will provide entertainment with roaming acts throughout the venue.
The festival will be open to the public from 09:00 to 21:00 throughout the week, with Friday hours from 16:00 to 21:00.