Two-day children’s carnival begins in Sharjah

After entertaining children of the emirate last year, the Sharjah Baby Friendly Office (SBFO) has announced the second edition of the Sharjah Carnival for Children and Youth, to be celebrated on Nov.21 – 22 in conjunction with World Children’s Day observed annually on Nov.20.

Two full days of fun and games have been dedicated to this unique carnival, which will be organised on the picturesque Al Majaz Amphitheatre Island. It will be an occasion for children, families and the whole community to enjoy and learn, from 9am - 10pm on both days.

In celebration of Sharjah’s support for children’s rights and to mark the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child this year, the island has been named the ‘Children’s Rights Island’ for the carnival.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, this SBFO carnival celebrates the exceptional qualities and achievements of the city’s children and youth by bringing the whole community together to connect and celebrate.

Festivities will unfold on the island, completely transformed into a child-friendly edutainment zone filled with exciting games, educational workshops and fun activities, including roving dance performances and processions, a photo booth, a tunnel of light, giant chairs, flag poles themed around children’s rights.

Activities will include workshops on cube painting, stencil painting and tote bags painting, and a variety of games staged on various parts of the island. There will also be lounges where families can relax and unwind.

Dr Hessa Al Ghazal, Executive Director of SBFO, said: “On the occasion of World Children’s Day, we invite families and schools in to bring their children and students for two days of fun and edutainment. The carnival’s main theme this year is children’s rights as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. We pay tribute to this achievement with activities and games themed around children’s rights.”

She added: “The carnival reflects His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi’s vision and directives, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi’s support to elevating the status of children and bettering their lives. This is a great opportunity for the community to unite, celebrate our children and youth, and recognise Sharjah’s achievements to create a nurturing environment for them.”

Sharjah will also participate in Unicef’s global GoBlue campaign through ‘Go Blue Sharjah’, which will be an intrinsic feature of the carnival, with the Al Majaz Amphitheatre building being lit up in blue symbolically, alongside other destinations such as the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and The Flag Island, to show the emirate’s support for children’s rights globally.

Fifteen government entities and organisations will participate in the carnival, each offering interactive edutainment activities and workshops for visitors, including Lughati initiative, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Girl Guides, Child Safety Department, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Police, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Education Council, Sharjah Children, Sharjah Health Authority, Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders & Innovators, Sharjah Private Education Authority, and the Sharjah Social Services Department.

SBFO aims to protect and elevate the status and wellbeing of children of all ages in Sharjah. It creates relevant strategies and plans and implements them in cooperation with relevant institutions and government authorities. The office is currently tasked with overseeing the continuation and implementation of the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Project (targeting age group 0-2), the Sharjah Child Friendly City Project (targeting age group 0-18), and the Sharjah Child Friendly Schools project.

The new season of #letsmajaz at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre will open on Dec.6 with Iraqi and Middle Eastern musical legend Ilham Al Madfai, according to an earlier report.

The world-class destination with a strong reputation for attracting the region’s biggest artistes for concerts and celebrations to Sharjah has roped in the iconic Iraqi guitarist, singer and composer, who will be accompanied by the six-member musical ensemble by Iraqi-Swedish Tarabband.