Sultan Al Qasimi Inaugurates 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival

Sharjah,: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025) on Wednesday at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme ‘Dive into Books’, the festival runs until May 4, featuring over 1,000 cultural and literary events.The opening ceremony included a ribbon-cutting and a vibrant children’s performance expressing gratitude for the Ruler’s continued support of youth literacy. His Highness toured the venue, visiting 122 publishing houses from 22 countries and launching key initiatives such as the “Reader of the Century” platform and the revamped website for the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature.
SCRF 2025 also honoured winners of its prestigious literary and illustration awards, with notable recognition going to authors and illustrators from the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Mexico, Italy, and South Korea. New festival features include the Future Makers Museum, Sherlock Holmes Exhibition, and a wide array of interactive science and art workshops.Now in its 16th edition, SCRF continues to affirm Sharjah’s leadership in promoting children’s literature and fostering a culture of reading across generations.