FUJAIRAH: The inaugural edition of the Fujairah Children’s Book Fair, held at the Al Bayt Mitwahid Hall in Fujairah, reported a notable increase in visitors on its fourth day, particularly school students visiting in the morning.
The event’s seamless organisation facilitated the entry and movement of visitors throughout the book fair.
The various booths and zones at the exhibition welcomed children and their families with interactive workshops on UAE Sana’a and the art of origami. Furthermore, panel discussions on day three highlighted notable experiences of young and child authors in writing their stories while also presenting stories about people of determination. The day also featured storytelling sessions that engaged children’s minds, exploring their ideas and inspirations.
In addition, the fair offered entertainment and cultural activities that captivated young visitors and their families, creating an atmosphere that reflected the educational and awareness-raising significance of the event, fulfillin
g the fair’s theme: ‘Create the Future with Imagination’.
Three-panel discussions took place on the main stage, with the first session titled Tactile Children’s Book for Children of Determination. Moderated by Mohammad Alyammahi, this session featured children’s authors Fatima Al-Rashed and Nadia Al Najjar. They discussed what tactile books are, how they are made and how they help enhance the abilities of the visually impaired. The speakers shared stories about the achievements and capabilities of people of determination, offering advice to parents, teachers, and children on how to find suitable books for this group and unlock new avenues for knowledge.
The second session, titled Children’s Books: From Imitation to Creation,’ featured poet and author Ali Al-Shaali, Dr. Aisha Al-Ghais from Dar Al-Dhabi, and Dr Alaa Al-Najem, an expert in children’s literature. Mohammed Al Jaghbeir from the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation moderated the session.
The speakers discussed the evolution of children’s books in the A
rab world, going over traditional and modern literary traditions. They debated the issues of creativity versus tradition in children’s literature and explored the future of this genre in the Arab world. The panel emphasised the importance of fostering critical and creative thinking skills in children, highlighting the shift toward relying on images instead of text in children’s literature. They also cited examples of innovative authors in the field, underlining the current significant expansion of the publishing industry in the UAE.
The third and final panel, titled Young Author, was delivered in Arabic and moderated by Issa Al Mazmi, featuring young authors Ammar Al Marzouqi, AlDana Alhamoudi, and Sandy Hani, who shared their experience in writing stories for other children, highlighting their ideas and inspirations.
At the Dar Al Muheet Publishing House’s booth, visual artist Shaima Al Kilani conducted an art workshop titled “Creating a Book from Origami.” During this workshop, the children learned how to
turn paper into books and artistic shapes using origami, which involves folding paper to create artwork. Other materials, like crochet, were added to give the pieces a creative touch.
The workshop aimed to develop children’s skills, stimulate their imagination, and encourage them to use this art form to produce educational books and other three-dimensional shapes while creatively utilising available materials.
Dar Al Muheet Publishing House also hosted Abdullah Salem Al Kindi, an activist and researcher in local history, to lead a workshop on UAE Sana’a. During the session, he highlighted the customs and etiquette of majlis gatherings, hospitality, greetings and salutations, and how to wear traditional Emirati attire for both men and women. The workshop was very well received by children and other fair visitors.
Meanwhile, the Philosophy House’s booth organised an interactive workshop titled ‘Young Diplomat’, where children learned the art of making a positive impact in society and how to represent themsel
ves and their countries in the future. Philosophy House also hosted another interactive philosophical workshop, presenting a series of questions to encourage children to think and develop their minds in an atmosphere filled with lively interactions and enjoyable discussions.
Source: Emirates News Agency