Families with their young children are flocking to Arab publishers at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, buying books in the language they are determined to learn and use more Observing two young women, one pushing a stroller with an infant, sifting through Arabic children’s books at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), one might assume they are shopping for a school-aged child. However, sisters Hala and Farah, in their thirties, were selecting books for Hala’s eight-month-old daughter. “I’m on the lookout for books with pictures and the Arabic alphabets,” Hala explained. “We were both born and raised here, and have…
Author: Kashan Tumsil
Veteran playwright and TV personality Anwar Maqsood pays tribute to long-term comedy partner with stage adaptation of the popular Loose Talk series Comedy and theatre lovers got the best of both worlds as veteran playwright Anwar Maqsood reprised a much loved role for a special stage adaptation at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) in a moving tribute to his long-term partner Moin Akhtar. “For 36 years of my life, I wrote for Moin and for every script, he put in an exemplary performance,” said Maqsood, who wrote over 400 episodes of the wildly popular Loose Talk series…
In the lively atmosphere of the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, young readers flocked to the Kalimat Group’s pavilion to enjoy a storytelling session led by author and media personality Samia Ayish, and to get a signed copy of her latest work, ‘What Should I Say About Dad?’, which tackles the sensitive issue of parental separation with depth and creativity. Insights into Family Dynamics Illustrated by Bakana Yaqoub Nejad, Ayish’s book serves as a literary escape and an educational tool. It delicately portrays how a mother can explain a father’s absence to her child without compromising the…
Gulf-wide collaboration, ease of inter-regional travel and infrastructure development were placed under the microscope at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, which saw a selection of policymakers discuss the streamlining of the GCC’s thriving tourism industry. The 31st edition of ATM is being hosted at Dubai World Travel Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 9 May. H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, noted the tourism sector’s growing contribution to the Emirates’ economy in his opening comments on ATM 2024’s Global Stage. “According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), our tourism sector has been a dynamic force…
At the 15th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, young school children recreate African and Arabian sunset scenes with animal silhouettes gracing the foreground. Taking inspiration from the “Circle of Life” song in the Disney superhit movie The Lion King, a batch of Grade 4 girl students set about recreating a silhouette of the African savannah with a medley of wildlife at the “Creative Silhouettes” Art & Craft session during the ongoing 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). The children were quick to recognise Simba the Lion King, Mickey Mouse, the genie from Aladdin, and others from their silhouettes…
Wonderful Indonesia, an initiative by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to showcase a diverse array of destinations for both domestic and international tourism, is participating in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, one of the leading travel and tourism events in the Middle East. The participation underscores Indonesia’s commitment to fostering closer ties with the UAE and promoting its diverse and enchanting destinations to travellers in the region. As the largest and most influential travel trade exhibition in the region, ATM Dubai provides an unparalleled platform for countries to showcase their tourism offerings, strengthen partnerships, and attract…
In today’s digital age, the integration of technology into our lives is inescapable. Addressing the dilemmas parents face with increasing screen time, author Tasnim Omram conducted a workshop at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2024) on Monday. Speaking to children, she explored ways to balance the allure of the virtual world with the richness of real life. “Although digital technologies form a significant part of our existence, complete restriction for children isn’t the solution,” Tasnim said during her interaction with girls aged between 10 and 13. “Always cherish real-life experiences over digital ones. Like all things, technology has…
Menassah Distribution Company, dedicated to bolstering the distribution, marketing, and sales of Emirati books both locally and globally, recently took part in the Tunis International Book Fair 2024, a prominent cultural event in North Africa. Menassah is actively featuring local literary works at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) 2024. Menassah participated with an independent stand at the Tunis International Book Fair, held from 19 – 28 April at the Exhibition Palace in Al-Karam, Tunis. With titles from 314 exhibitors from 25 countries, the event featured 2,300 books from 51 member…
In its ongoing commitment to nurturing critical thinking, analytical skills, and independence in young individuals, House of Wisdom (HoW) is actively participating in the 15th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival under the theme of ‘Hayy bin Yaqdhan: A Journey of Enlightenment.’ Collaborating with the Qatar National Library, HoW unveils an immersive booth introducing children and young adults to ‘Hayy bin Yaqdhan,’ a cornerstone of Arabic literature penned by the Andalusian philosopher Ibn Tufayl. The story of Hayy, a young boy raised in isolation on a deserted island by a doe, depicts his journey of self-discovery through self-directed learning and keen observation.…
Popular Pakistani rockstar drives home unique message of friendship through real life lessons from his new series Pakkay Dost after young performers present poems as part of a live show Visitors to the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) on Sunday were treated to a delightful evening of musical nostalgia and mushaira , a poetic symposium, performed by a select group of UAE’s school students as part of a special cultural show. The event, put together by Bazm-e-Urdu – UAE’s first and the only licensed social club dedicated towards the upliftment of Urdu – saw Pakistani rock sensation Bilal Maqsood…