The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival concluded last night after 12 days of cultural and creative interaction that made books a focal point for learning and discovery.
This edition attracted approximately 125,700 visitors from various nationalities who flocked to the Sharjah Expo Center, engaging in an interactive experience under the slogan “Let Books Immerse You,” bridging literature, art, imagination, and innovation. It served as an exceptional knowledge and entertainment platform for children, youth, and families from around the world.
On the festival’s final day, winners of the “Sharjah Award for Illustrations of Children’s Books for Youth” were honored. Sharatvenjnesh Chinthil Kumar took first place in the (12-15 years) category, while Maryam Yahya Kazem Al-Badri came second. In the (16-18 years) age group, Tabarak Rida Abdullah won first place, followed by Amina Faraz Munir Jashti in second.
In this context, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al-Amiri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, stated, “We are not organizing a festival; rather, we are continuing to shape the features of a civilizational project that believes that a child is not only the reader of tomorrow but also a creator of the present.” He emphasized that the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival has become a global platform for establishing knowledge values, a living laboratory for unleashing the talents of the new generation, expanding their imagination, and equipping them with tools for thinking and innovation.
For her part, Khawla Al-Mojaini, the festival’s general coordinator, confirmed that this year’s edition reaffirmed that books are the strongest means to build minds and shape the future. She noted that the cultural and interactive momentum witnessed at the festival this year reflects Sharjah’s commitment to its civilizational project that transcends generations and borders, aiming to empower children with creativity and knowledge in an environment rich with experiences and cultural diversity.
It is worth mentioning that this year’s festival saw participation from 122 publishers from 22 countries and hosted over 133 experts from 70 nations. They presented around 1,024 events, including interactive sessions and workshops in the fields of literature, arts, technology, and sciences, in addition to theatrical and reading performances, drawing significant attendance from families, schools, and educational and cultural institutions.
