There will be a full programme of fun-filled and educational activities for children at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) taking place at the Expo Centre from November 4-14.The Kids Programme will feature a wide array of theatrical shows and performances, as well as educational and awareness activities and interactive scientific workshops, specifically designed for children of all ages to foster their talents and enrich their knowledge with science, literature and art.Hind Abdullah Lenaid, Head of Exhibitions at SIBF, said, “Children are always given special attention by the SIBF in order to encourage them to read and cultivate a love of books. Through this programme of events and activities we aim to develop children’s creative skills and expand their imagination in order to help them to write. We also hope to develop their artistic talents in drawing, and to enrich their knowledge and culture in various disciplines.” One highlight of Emirati performances taking place as part of the Kids Programme is the choral show "I Love My Country", that highlights the progress and development of the UAE and will be staged on November 4, at 11.15 am. Another choral show called "A Song for the Nation" aims to strengthen national identity and will be held on November 5th, at 11:15am.
The Friends of Publishing and Distribution Foundation will present its play "Massara", which aims to promote speaking in Arabic, on November 9 and 10. Comedian Mohamed Salem will perform a one-man show called "Wakhid Balik", (Are you Taking Care?) on November 5th, at 7:30 pm, and again on November 6 and 7 at 6:15 pm.Also from the Arab world, a play by artist Marwan Abdullah Saleh namely "Sah El Sahih" that employs fun and entertainment to educate families is featured at SIBF. The play tells story of a young child called Hamed who learns a strange writing method that mixes Arabic and English alphabets causing his scores in the Arabic language course to be very low. The story ultimately ends with Hamed’s problem being solved and sends a message to the audience that each font has an identity and importance in our life.SIBF also hosts a number of international groups to enthrall children with entertaining shows, including the children’s musical “Butterfly’s Life”, by Konouz Theatre and Circus in Switzerland. The play highlights the insect’s metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly and will be held twice daily from November 4 – 6.
Children will also be treated to a musical stage drama called “Travelers on the Road to Gold”, based on an old European fairy tale which will be held on November 11 -14. Fans of puppet shows will love the "Giant Puppet Carnival” which consists of a series of comic shows with performers wearing marvelous costumes. Children will be entertained by the "World of Dolls", in which dolls jump, fly, dance and sing, within dramatic scenes. The most famous puppet of all, “Pinocchio” will also be featuring at the SIBF, based on the fairy tale “The Adventures of Pinocchio”, written by Italian Carlo Collodi in 1880.There is also a daily story reading to enthrall the children and among these is “The Adventures of Sinbad” who travels the world encountering many adventures along the way. The children’s events also includes a storytelling workshop conducted by Khaled ElNaanaa. In this workshop, different books, such as: One Thousand and One Night, Kalīla wa Dimna, Juha’s Adventures, as well as many other folk and heritage tales, will be transformed into exciting and educational tales that take children's imagination to the world of magic and fantasy. Tales such as the Monster (Al Ghoul), the enchanted cave, the ant and the cockroach, and stories by Qamer Al Zaman and Lady Budoor will be told at the session. The workshop focuses on bringing children closer to these stories, which can be transformed into a great tool in fostering values in children with endless fun.
A variety of entertaining scientific and educational activities will also be organised throughout the 11-day fair. This includes the “Feelings of Bubbles”, presented by Saltimbanco Italiano, which combines imagination and creativity to create huge bubbles. "The Art of Balloons" is another activity which helps children to create various birds, animals and flowers from balloons and the “The Chemistry Puzzle” is another where children will be engaged in scientific experiments.Children will also be treated to “The Journey of a Yoga Master” that will take them, and their parents, on a fantastical journey to discover the importance of Yoga to help stay focused, maintain balance and stay strong. The programme will also include the “Circus Show” with clowns and acrobatic dancers performing impressive dances.
A specialised "Little Steps" corner at SIBF 2015 will focus on pre-school children to reinforce culture of communication among them. The purpose of the programme is to nurture advanced mental and cognitive capacities of the future generation to make them capable of in moving towards the future with steady and confident steps.In addition to the Kids Programme the SIBF 2015 will include an intellectual programme featuring seminars, lectures, cultural and poetry evenings, Cooking Corner, and the Social Networking platform, among other events and activities. For more information visit www.sibf.com.