Stars to shine at Sharjah festival

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) in its 11th edition that is organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) will host many leading actors and distinguished authors known for their outstanding contribution to children’s arts and literature.

The 11-day cultural event is set to take place from April 17–27 at Sharjah Expo Centre under the theme ‘Explore Knowledge’. It will be a platform for more than 50 cultural activities with 76 personalities from 26 countries participating to introduce children to the world of art and words.

Prominent Egyptian actor Abdul Rahman Abu Zahra, well-known for his work on television and film, and Jordanian artist Amar Safadi, an actor and voice-over artiste famous for his work on cartoons in the 1980s and ’90s, are among the big names who will be present at SCRF. The festival will also host Egyptian artist Shaimaa Saif, presenter of the popular television show Miss Understand; Bahraini actress Haifa Hussein; Iraqi producer and cartoon voice-over artiste Falah Ahmad; and children’s artist Amani Al Baba from Palestine, among many others.

Famous figures to be present will include Yacoub El Sharouni, a popular children’s author from Egypt; Emirati author Noura Al Noman, writer Omeima Ezzeddin, who has authored several children’s books; Syrian poet Qahtan Berkdar; Jordanian scriptwriter Maria Dadoush; and other attendees.

The guests will take part in panel discussions and seminars that will shed light on the state of children’s literature at present, and the challenges and obstacles facing those working in the field. A major point of discussion at the seminars will include the responsibilities and roles of local and international academic and educational institutions in improving the quality of knowledge and content in children’s literature, and ways to tap creativity of children and nurture their talents.

SCRF is one of the most significant cultural events dedicated to children in the UAE and greater Arab region. It has gone beyond just a book exhibition and developed into an integrated festival that contributes to enriching the knowledge of visitors with literature and science, while ensuring the participation of organisations and centres dedicated to children.