The 15th installment of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) ended on a high note, attracting more than 125,000 visitors over 12 dynamic days of book fares. Organized at the Sharjah Expo Centre, the festival was a melting pot for children, international authors, illustrators, educators, and families that congregated to be the voices of the passion for books and stories.
Hosted by Sharjah Book Authority in the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, the SCRF had more than 1,500 events such as panel discussions, workshops, theatrical productions, and book signings. Both Arab and global talents were in the limelight, promoting cross-cultural exchange and innovation among youth and children.
A high point of the festival was that it heavily emphasized forward-thinking education with exclusive zones dedicated to science, technology, and sustainability with overwhelming enthusiasm by schools and families alike. The children spent their time taking part in workshops in STEM fields, coding camps, and experiential sessions intended to stimulate higher-order thinking and curiosity beyond class walls.
The final day of the festival was filled with euphoria and satisfaction, as authors and publishers thanked the warm response and staggering reception. With Sharjah further establishing itself as a cultural hotbed approved by UNESCO, the SCRF continues to be a turning point in developing lifelong readers and cultured minds among children.
