Sharjah Children Reading Festival 2018: Education through entertainment

Event makes one realise the importance of organising such events in Pakistan as well

KARACHI: Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year's Sharjah Children Reading Festival (SCRF 2018) was based on the theme, ‘Your Future…Just a Book Away.'

The 10-days event saw the participation of 134 publishers from 18 Arab and foreign countries and 286 authors, poets and literary guests hailing from 121 countries.

Sharjah’s ruler ­­His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler, opened the 10th edition of SCRF at the Expo Centre in Sharjah himself.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Running from April 18 to April 28, the event included a line-up consisting of 2,600 cultural and literary events and activities to enrich and entertain people of all ages. SCRF 2018 also featured a series of international theatrical performances that combined education, fun and entertainment to highlight the values of honesty to young visitors.

While in Sharjah, The Express Tribune got a chance to sit and talk with the Chairman of SBA, Ahmed Al Ameri. “The idea of SCRF is to promote reading. That’s the sole purpose of this festival. The event is organised by SBA itself and was initiated in 1985,” the chairman revealed.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

He added, “SCRF is the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and Her Highness. This is the 10^th edition of the festival and we are sure to host more audience than its last edition."

Talking about the idea behind the reading festival, Ahmeri said, “Let me tell you the facts. The growth of paperback is still higher than e-books. But to us, it doesn’t matter since the whole idea of a reading festival is to promote reading, regardless of the medium.”

SCRF offered fun workshops for children, as well as insightful sessions by multiple authors and illustrators. There were live cooking sessions, 250 pop-up book stores dating back to 1800s, cultural seminars and much more.

Many international authors and illustrators took part in the program. Speaking to some of them made one thing in obvious: they all adore what they do.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

British author Ed Vere shared he had never planned on becoming a children’s book writer. “I adored painting. But then I just kind of stumbled into writing books for children and I absolutely loved it!" he said. "The books and illustrations are sort of just pieces from my childhood. The thing is, everyone believes being a children’s book author means bright colours and pretty pictures but that’s not the case. We got to have a meaning to it. There has to be a lesson.”

PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Pakistani illustrator and author Fauzia Minallah revealed the main reason why reading festivals don't generate much traction here in Pakistan. Asked if such events were needed in the country, Minallah laughed and said, “Well, there are many sessions and festivals for children back in Pakistan. But here’s the thing: we have no funds. We need money in order to conduct an event of this magnitude and scale.”

 

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