The Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the festival by cutting the ceremonial ribbon and attended an artistic performance by young participants
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially inaugurated the 16th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) on Wednesday morning at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the festival runs until May 4 under the theme “Dive into Books”, serving as a vibrant platform celebrating children’s literature, creativity, and cultural engagement.
Upon his arrival, H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan was welcomed by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority; Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention; and Dr Ahmed Fouad Hano, Egypt’s Minister of Culture. Also present were cultural dignitaries, government officials, and prominent figures from the literary world.
The Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the festival by cutting the ceremonial ribbon and attended an artistic performance by young participants. The children expressed their appreciation for H.H.’s steadfast support and shared their enthusiasm for the festival’s expansive array of interactive activities. This year’s SCRF welcomes 122 Arab and international publishers from 22 countries, offering over 1,024 cultural, artistic, and entertainment events. More than 133 distinguished guests from 70 nations are participating, highlighting the festival’s global stature and cross-cultural appeal.
During his tour, H.H. visited several pavilions showcasing initiatives aimed at nurturing a love for reading among children. A key highlight was the launch of the “Reader of the Century” platform, initiated at the Sharjah Children’s Pavilion under the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation. The platform targets youth aged 6 to 18, aiming to foster deeper literary engagement, inspire knowledge, and empower young minds for active societal participation. At the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) stand, H.H. met with representatives from Egypt’s Board on Books for Young People (EBBY), this year’s Guest of Honour, where they explored opportunities for cultural cooperation and joint initiatives in children’s literature.
H.H. also launched the 17th edition of the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature and unveiled its newly redesigned website and visual identity. The award continues to honour outstanding Arabic children’s books and promote literary excellence across the Arab world. Further stops included visits to key cultural entities such as the Department of Culture, Emirates Publishers Association, Kalimat Group, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and the House of Wisdom. H.H. was briefed on ongoing initiatives to promote a reading culture, develop creative publishing content, and engage children through educational and recreational activities.
At the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustrations Exhibition 2025, H.H. met with local and international artists and explored their works, gaining insight into the creative processes behind children’s illustration. The exhibition featured a broad collection of artistic contributions celebrating visual storytelling. At the festival’s conclusion, H.H. honoured the winners of the Sharjah Children’s Book Awards. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi received the English Children’s Book Award (7–13 age group) for House of Wisdom, while Mohamed Kasbar from Egypt won the Arabic Children’s Book Award (4–12 age group) for Shhh… This is a Secret. Asmaa Al Skaf from Bahrain received the Arabic Young Adult Book Award (13–17 age group) for On the Equator, and Nahed Al Shawa from Jordan won the Sharjah Audio Book Award (Arabic) for The Dear Cows.
At the Children’s Book Illustrations Awards, Luis Miguel San Fernando of Mexico won first place, followed by Cristina Pieropan of Italy and Ami Shin of South Korea. Encouragement awards were presented to Hani Saleh (Egypt), Laura Merz (Finland), and Ali Asghar Bagherzadeh (Iran) for their emerging talent.
This year’s SCRF introduces exciting new features including the Future Makers Museum and the Sherlock Holmes Exhibition, along with creative workshops such as manga drawing, string art, comic book design, and scientific experiments, blending fun with education for children and teens.
With more than 50 cultural sessions led by internationally acclaimed authors and illustrators, and 85 theatrical and roaming performances, SCRF 2025 stands as a cornerstone of Sharjah’s cultural mission—empowering young minds, encouraging reading and creativity, and nurturing a generation ready to shape a brighter future.
