Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, Ambassador of Mexico to the UAE, has hailed Sharjah’s remarkable efforts to support children and nurture their various talents.
She congratulated the emirate for offering yet another unique opportunity to publishers, writers, illustrators, and most importantly, children to come together in a brand new celebration of knowledge and culture.
Escobar shared these observations on a visit to the 12th edition of the Sharjah Children Reading Festival (SCRF). She was accompanied on her tour by Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. They were briefed on the 11-day festival’s key activities and taken to the publisher pavilions featuring 172 houses from 15 countries this year, as well as the various workshop areas and creative platforms.
Francisca E. Méndez Escobar reads a book during her visit to Sharjah Expo Centre. WAM
"For Mexico, it is very important to be here because we have a huge young population in our country, and through our experiences, we have learnt that we need to offer – as a nation and as one world – to our children as many opportunities for development as possible, especially in reading," she opined.
She also stressed that children in the UAE and the world need key cultural events such as the SCRF now more than ever, because it offers them the opportunity to learn, read, acquire new skills and explore new cultures.
She pointed out that Mexico’s cultural representation at the event translates her country’s willingness to bolster cultural relations with Sharjah and the UAE, with the enhancement of cooperation with cultural entities and the exchange of expertise with artists, authors and publishers in the two countries.
Themed "For Your Imagination," the 12th edition of SCRF is the region’s largest festival of its kind and runs until 29th May at Expo Centre Sharjah. The 11-day festival is open to visitors from 16:00 to 22:00, except on Saturdays when it is from 10:00 to 20:00.
WAM