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USED BOOK FESTIVAL
The 7th used book festival was held in February 2020, organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) with the theme "Get a Book, Light a Path.” The event was held at Al Nakheel Park on the shores of Khalid Lake, Sharjah from February 26–29, as part of the activities marking Sharjah as World Book Capital. The idea of the event is based on collecting the largest possible number of diverse (nonschool) books from various topics and languages that people and institutions donate with their credible in the SCHS, and investing their return and income toward supporting SCHS’s projects dedicated to People of Determination.
In addition, the book project fell under the context of the cultural and knowledgeable approach set by His Highness Shaikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, especially in Sharjah Emirate and along UAE in general.
FESTIVAL GOALS
• Enhancing the value and importance of books by encouraging reading and curiosity
• To develop and enhance the spirit of volunteerism among members of society in all age groups
• Promoting cultural and social values among members of society
• Establishing recreational and cultural activities that attract all nationalities and all age groups
• Paying attention to the creativity of persons with disabilities and other groups of children and youth
• Providing financial revenues for Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services in an innovative, moral and cultural return
The 7th Used Book Festival witnessed great attendance of school students and community members.
The students of Sharjah Public School, Al-Basayer Private School, and Al-Shula Private School for Girls presented artistic, literary, and informative acts on stage. Festival visitors interacted positively with it. Moreover, there were a group of cultural and artistic workshops such as theatrical art, children’s book breaking, little writer, storytelling, calligraphy, and coloring workshops, among others.
Sharjah Municipality has participation with a special pavilion called the Al-Warif Library. Sheikha Kholoud Al Mualla, Director of Document Management, emphasized the importance of participation by receiving school students in the library, allowing them to read stories, then asking questions and giving some motivational prizes.
As the Used Book Festival is a destination for volunteers, more than 250 volunteers from schools, universities, public and private organizations and SCHS volunteered in sorting and pricing books as well as assisting visitors in finding the books they were looking for.
The festival is special because of the provision of a special corridor for people with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs, as SCHS was keen to make the place accessible for everyone, including the elderly and mothers who accompany their children using baby strollers. It is a profound message to society aiming at facilitating the participation of persons with disabilities in public events.
The presence of persons with disabilities and their voluntary participation in the festival and accompanying activities is an opportunity to highlight their capabilities in several creative and artistic fields in addition to being an informative message to promote their inclusion in society. In addition, this is an effective role in serving society intellectually and culturally through recycling books in a voluntary manner.
A MILLION BOOKS
The used book festival, organized since 2006, included one million books this year (2020). It was indeed a great opportunity to buy books at reasonable prices starting from two up to twenty dirhams. SCHS allocated the revenues of the festival to support its services, programs, and activities offered to persons with disabilities.
Visitors confirm year after year that the Used Book Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Sharjah that aims to encourage voluntary work and provide books at low prices.