His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and
Ruler of Sharjah, has ordered the allocation of a AED 2.5 million fund for the purchase of latest
titles being showcased at the ongoing 14th annual edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading
Festival (SCRF), in a bid to enrich the emirate’s public and government libraries while also
supporting participating publishers from around the world.
The initiative stems from His Highness’s vision to invest in books across varied disciplines in
both Arabic and foreign languages to open new horizons for the younger generations to enrich
their knowledge and imaginations, and at the same time, reinforce the role of libraries in
children’s education even in a digital-first environment.
141 publishers from 16 countries, including 93 Arab 48 international, are exhibiting their latest
works in children’s literature, covering various genres, including novels, educational books and
creative arts, at the 14th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. More than 457
guests from 66 countries, including prominent authors, artists, publishers, and illustrators, are
leading 1,732 diverse activities for children and adults during the 12-day cultural extravaganza.