Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority (FCMA) has announced the inaugural edition of the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair. The fair, the first of its kind in the Emirate, will be held from 13th to 19th October 2024 at Al Bayt Mitwahid Hall in Fujairah.

The event will be organised by the Office of the Crown Prince, Fujairah, and the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, in collaboration with various educational, artistic, and cultural institutions from the UAE and abroad, under the slogan Create the Future with Imagination.

Commenting on the launch, Nasser Muhammed Al Yamahi, Director-General of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, said, “The first of its kind in the literary history of the Emirate, the book fair is the culmination of the vision of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to create opportunities for children to broaden their literary knowledge and experience how technological advancements are changing the literary landscape. This vision has come to fruition with the enduring support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.”

He added, “With rapid technological advancements, storytelling and literature are evolving, embracing tech-assisted and interactive formats. The book fair aims to provide children with the opportunity to explore diverse genres, expand their knowledge of world literature, and enhance their imagination, storytelling, writing, and literary skills.”

The inaugural edition will feature publishers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Jordan, across four thematic zones: Imagination, Adventure, Creative, and Future. The programme will also include 43 literary events, 34 workshops, and over 10 sessions featuring conversations with authors, all aligned with the themes of each zone.

Amjad Saleh