The Fujairah Children’s Book Fair, held under the patronage of Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, marked its inaugural edition on Saturday, 19th October. Organized by the Higher Committee of Fujairah Children’s Book Fair and Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, the event took place at the Al Bayt Mitwahid Hall in Fujairah.
The first edition of the book fair, which commenced on 13th October, offered a diverse cultural agenda with over 87 different activities. These included panel discussions, literary events, and workshops hosted on the main stage and at the booths of participating publishing houses. The event saw the participation of 40 publishers from the UAE and abroad, showcasing a wide selection of educational, cultural, and artistic books.
The theme of the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair was ‚Create the Future with Imagination,‘ and it featured four zones: Imagination, Adventure, Creativity, and Future. These zones aimed to promote creative thinking, scientific imagination, and learning and exploration skills among children.
Throughout the seven days of the fair, it welcomed around 10,000 visitors, including school students, children, families, and literature and culture enthusiasts. The event attracted a younger audience, indicating a strong demand for books in young adult and children’s literature genres.
The Fujairah Children’s Book Fair garnered notable success and drew an impressive turnout. It featured prominent authors and influential figures who contributed to the exhibition’s cultural and educational programs. The agenda included interactive workshops in Arabic and English, as well as panel discussions for children on various topics such as art, philosophy, story creation, drawing, and book readings.
The fair also included sessions on important themes like the role of fantasy in encouraging youth reading, ‚UAE Sana’a‘ and majlis protocols, creating a positive influence in the community, and the significance of tactile books for people with disabilities.
One of the highlights of the fair was the Upcoming Author competition, which recognized talented young writers. Additionally, there were book signings where authors signed their works in Arabic and English at the stands of participating publishing houses.
Nasser Al Yamahi, Executive Director of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, expressed his gratitude to Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi for his patronage of the event. He highlighted the Crown Prince’s commitment to supporting children in developing their skills and enhancing their reading culture.
Al Yamahi emphasized that the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair has become a significant intellectual and cultural event, providing immense value to the emirate of Fujairah. He mentioned plans to expand the exhibition space, enhance services for exhibitors, and accommodate more publishers for the next edition.
In conclusion, the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair was a resounding success, attracting a large number of visitors and showcasing the emirate’s commitment to promoting reading and supporting young creative minds. The event served as a platform for young readers to engage with authors, publishers, and key figures in the literary and knowledge industries, further solidifying Fujairah’s role in culture and knowledge.