Expo on children’s illustration books sees 30% increase

SHARJAH / WAM

The Sharjah Exhibition for Children’s Books Illustrations, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) during the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, has received 1,378 illustrations from 64 countries with the most number of artworks submitted by Egypt, Syria and Italy.
The 5th edition of the exhibition is being held as part of the 8th edition of the Sharjah Children Reading Festival, SCRF, taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 20-30.
This year, 296 artists from 15 Arab countries and 31 foreign countries have submitted 1,378 illustrations. Egypt topped the list of participants with submissions from 50 illustrators, followed by Syria in second place with 27 illustrators and Italy with 24 illustrators.
There was increased participation in this year’s edition, with 30% more participants than last year when 35 countries took part. The number of artworks submitted this year also increased by 13% from last year.
Hind Abdullah Lenaid, Manager of Fairs and Festivals at Sharjah Book Authority, said, “We continue to organise Sharjah Exhibition for Children’s Books Illustrations in line with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and strive to make the world of reading an attractive place for children and to make them feel encouraged to pick up a book and read. This will only be achieved by supporting and honouring all those who participated in producing these books, especially illustrators who decorate children’s books with beautiful graphics and designs.
The jury is evaluating the artworks submitted to select the illustrations that will be displayed at the exhibition based on professional and artistic criteria and then select a winner for this year’s edition. The winning illustrations selected by the jury will be approved by SBA and announced during the 8th edition of SCRF. The jury includes Claudia Legnazzi from Argentine, Ronald Curchod from Switzerland and Salah Al Murr from Sudan.
Lenaid added, “Illustrations showcased in previous editions were inspiring and that’s why they won a place at Sharjah Children Reading Festival. The selection committee and jury members work without bias and they will work hard to choose the most deserving work. They started working to choose the best pieces of art after submissions were closed mid-January.”
SBA offers cash prizes to participants, with first place winning US$8,000, second $6,000 and the third $4,000. There are also other prizes worth $1,000 for different categories.
The Sharjah Exhibition for Children’s Book Illustrations was launched in 2012 under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. It aims to highlight the distinguished illustrations that can be drawn in children’s books. It has attracted more than 1,500 artists from 40 countries over the last four editions, and is one of the most important regional and international exhibitions for professional children’s book illustrations.