A Celebration of Creativity and Culture: Sharjah Children’s Pavilion at the SCRF
The Sharjah Children’s Pavilion, a cornerstone of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), enthralled over 2,300 visitors with a diverse array of interactive workshops and engaging sessions. Spanning 12 days, this vibrant event intricately combined elements of culture, art, practicality, and entertainment, positioning itself as a significant contributor to the cultural development of children in the UAE and beyond.
Engaging Workshops Designed for Young Minds
At the heart of the pavilion’s appeal were more than 70 specially curated workshops and reading sessions designed to cultivate a rich environment of creativity and learning. Led by experts and members of Sharjah Children, these sessions provided participants with an immersive experience into the realms of storytelling and literature. Each workshop was crafted to ignite the imagination of young attendees while honing their narrative skills and instilling essential values through innovative reading and writing challenges. Some of the standout offerings included engaging activities like “How I See the Story,” “Reading Jenga,” “I’ll Catch My Breakfast,” “Under the Hat,” and “House of Wisdom.”
These workshops not only fostered literacy but also encouraged children to see themselves as active participants in the narrative process, thereby enhancing their cognitive engagement with texts.
Cultural Exploration and Life Skills Development
In addition to storytelling, the pavilion offered workshops aimed at exploring global cultures and essential life skills. The “Exploring Civilisations” workshop invited children to create collages representing traditional clothing from various cultures, merging artistic expression with cultural education. Meanwhile, in the “Nana the Chef” workshop, youngsters learned the value of respect and assistance towards their parents, alongside practical skills in preparing healthy meals. Other notable workshops included “My Magic Mirror,” “The Art of Embroidery,” “Colours of Life,” and “Eco-Friendly Tales,” all designed to engage children in an interactive and playful manner.
Creative Collaborations Enhance the Experience
The SCRF also showcased collaborations with esteemed creative institutions, notably FUNN, which offered two distinctive workshops: “My Place in My Book” and “From Page to Virtual Reality.” These partnerships underscored the festival’s commitment to enriching the educational landscape through shared expertise. Further enhancing the creative offerings, female students from the Higher Colleges of Technology contributed a series of engaging sessions, including “Family Tales,” “My Little Stories,” “My Imagination Draws My Story,” and “Puppet Tales,” each designed to inspire creativity and storytelling among young participants.
The Literature of Awareness Programme
Central to the festival’s educational mission was the “Literature of Awareness” programme, designed to inspire children through interactive activities based on the story of Laith and Hila. Through workshops such as “Code Breaker,” “Sticky Experiments,” “Cookie Galaxy,” and “Space Monsters,” children engaged in a variety of hands-on experiences that combined entertainment with learning, fostering a keen interest in literature and science.
Launching the “Reader of the Century” Initiative
In furtherance of its goal to promote reading among youth, the Sharjah Children’s Pavilion launched the “Reader of the Century” platform. This initiative aims to enrich cultural knowledge and develop intellectual and cognitive skills for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. By motivating young individuals to immerse themselves in books and seek knowledge, this platform serves as a vital resource for nurturing informed and engaged future generations.
Theatre Performances Highlighting Young Talent
Moreover, the festival featured performances by Sharjah Children’s members, showcasing their theatrical talents through purposeful and engaging plays such as “The Judge and the Crow,” “Let’s Play,” and “Be Yourself.” These performances not only emphasized the importance of drama in education but also provided a platform for young artists to express themselves creatively.
Fostering a Love for Reading and Cultural Awareness
The Sharjah Children’s Pavilion aimed to amplify the foundation’s programmes and services while inspiring children to cultivate a genuine love for reading, research, and knowledge. By fostering cultural and creative awareness, the event set the stage for future generations to emerge as thoughtful, influential members of society.
Through such initiatives, Sharjah continues to affirm its commitment to nurturing the minds of its youth, ensuring that the cultural heritage of the UAE remains vibrant and relevant in an ever-changing world.
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