I came to Sharjah eager to share of myself and Philippine children's literature. Five days later, I flew back home, my mind and heart wonderfully filled with newfound treasures. Attending the 2017 Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, I had unexpectedly become a richer individual than I was five days before - in terms of inspiration and insights.
Day 1: My flight was late. We touched down at around 5:00 AM, almost an hour late. When I finally got out of the airport the sun was just coming out.
By the time we'd turned into Corniche Road where the Hilton was, the sun had already come out (below). I come from a country famous for its sunsets. But I had never seen the sun at sunrise as immense as magnificent as this. It was as if God was smiling at me. What a warm greeting Sharjah gave me. Sadly, my phone cam did not do it justice at all.
Despite the lateness of my flight, I had arrived too early for the festival. The SCRF 2017 booth at the Hilton lobby had not even opened yet when I checked in. In my room, I napped and freshened up, then went down to check the booth again to get my guest badge and inquire about transport to the opening of the SCRF.
I got this box of cute doodads as a welcome gift from the Sharjah Book Authority (below).
It had felt so surreal, to be in the UAE. It's so unlike anywhere I'd ever been. But even then, within the UAE, the contrast between the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah is so marked. While Dubai is all cosmopolitan and shiny, Sharjah's sand-colored cityscape is elegant and genteel. Both are beautiful and fascinating, each in its own way.
On the way to the Expo Centre, we passed by the iconic Eye of the Emirates (below).
It wasn't a dream after all. In just a few hours, I was already going to be in my first SCRF event, a panel discussion on "Illustrated Stories and Its Status". The Sharjah Book Authority announced it on social media (below).
The entrance to the Sharjah Expo Centre, venue of the 2017 Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (below). The theme for SCRF 2017 is "Discover Beyond".
A handy guide to the activities and a map to help you locate them in the huge venue (below).
Had to pinch and tell myself that this was really happening.
Cute preschoolers in very colorful costumes holding up hashtags in Arabic. It was only my very first few minutes in the Expo Centre, so I'd been unable to ask anybody for a translation of the signs.
Very young schoolchildren waiting for the Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi to open the festival gamely pose for photographs (below).
A typical panel discussion around the venue which featured two very young storytellers (below). One wrote her own stories in English while the other one interpreted traditional Arabic stories. The forum was bilingual and the rapt audience was composed of middle schoolers.
Our panel discussion entitled "Illustrated Text: Illustrated Stories and Its Status", facilitated by Linda Abdel Latif (Egypt) and co-paneled by Sheena Dempsey (UK) and myself (Philippines). The questions were in Arabic. Sheena and I and the audience were provided headsets while a translator in the booth impressively interpreted the questions and answers alternately in Arabic and English. So cool.
Linda, Sheena, and I pose for posterity (above).
My lovely host Qurrat and I finally meet, and of course, we celebrate our meeting with a selfie.
What an incredible first day!
On the way back to the Hilton, the glittery Eye of the Emirates winks at me.
The Sharjah Children's Reading Festival is a cultural celebration attracting not only children, but extending the joy of learning to parents and adults in a family- friendly atmosphere. SCRF encourages learning and self-education from a young age, helping raise a generation of leaders, scholars and professionals who will contribute to the development of their society.
SCRF is held annually under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Muhammad Al Qasimi.
