His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has allocated AED2.5 million to enrich Sharjah's libraries with the latest publications.

The announcement came following the inauguration of the 11th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, SCRF 2019, at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The funds will be used to purchase the latest publications from participating publishing house at the reading festival. There are 167 publishers from 18 countries participating in SCRF 2019, themed 'Explore Knowledge'.

Accompanied by Sheikha Bodour bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice President of the International Publishers Association and Founder and President of the Emirates Publishers Association, His Highness toured SCRF’s exhibition halls and the stands of a number of Emirati, Arab and international publishers, where he was briefed with their printed and digital books, and other learning materials.

During his tour, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi also visited the two brand new exhibitions that SCRF 2019 has curated, namely, ‘Travelling the Silk Road’ that has recreated the most celebrated trade route in history and its influence on the world across centuries; and, ‘Voyage to the Deep’, an interactive exhibition that brings to life the deep-sea adventures of Captain Nemo, his fantastical Nautilus submarine and the mythical world he inhabited. 

He also visited the pavilions of several government cultural and educational institutions, where he listened to presentations by organisers about their services, products and events lined up during the literary festival.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, the festival will see appearances from 198 guests from 56 countries, who will be leading 2,546 cultural activities from 17th - 27th April. The activities taking place at the festive are designed to make reading more appealing for children and young adults.