Schoolchildren share their experiences from SIBF visit

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Hundreds of schoolchildren of different age groups and from different schools have visited the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) at Sharjah Expo on Wednesday.

The visiting students, boys and girls, along with their teachers seem delighted while browsing among thousands of books of every colour and size and more importantly their favourite picks like storybooks and comic books.

“To engage and entertain these schoolchildren of different age groups, like many other publishers and bookstalls, we have hundreds of books in different categories to give away,” said Shankar, a representative of one of the participating Indian publishers at the SIBF.

Many participating publishers and stalls of different departments have been giving away a wide range of printed materials and books free to the visitors including students. Muhammad, a student of Sharjah Private School, told Gulf Today, “Visiting the SIBF is one of the best parts of our school term as we have been given the opportunity to buy our favourite books from leading publishers at discount prices.”

All leading publishers at the book fair are offering not only a huge range of books on many leading topics but also offering discounts up to 30 per cent which is one of the favourites for booklovers.

Cookery Corner Young chefs at the fair started their day with a unique culinary adventure, crafting chocolate kunafas in an interactive workshop designed to blend tradition with creativity. Held at the bustling Cookery Corner, the “Kunafa Chocolate Trend” session delighted schoolgoers as they explored a fusion of the classic Middle Eastern dessert with the richness of chocolate.

The workshop, led by UAE-based Skilldeer, combined hands-on learning with an exciting culinary experience, filling the hall with the enticing aroma of melted chocolate and warm butter. Ola Altaki, one of the instructors, guided the children through each step of this delectable creation.

“We began with a quick lesson on the origins of chocolate,” Altaki explained. “The children then melted chocolate to form a base layer, learning basic handling skills. After a brief introduction to kunafa’s roots, we demonstrated how to bake it to a perfect golden brown. They then layered their chocolate base —cooled in the freezer — with pistachio dough and topped it with another chocolate layer.

By the end, each child had their own kunafa mould to take home. And really, who doesn’t love chocolate?” But the workshop wasn’t just about making a sweet treat. Altaki emphasised a deeper purpose behind the activity, “We wanted to encourage children to lend a hand in the kitchen, use their imagination, and develop confidence. It’s about sparking joy and creativity through cooking,” the Syrian instructor added, highlighting the power of culinary arts in nurturing young minds. The session was a hit among the young attendees, many of whom were excited to share their experiences.

Ahmed Mohammed Al Hassan, a 10-year-old from Sudan and a student at Rashidiya School in Ajman, said, “It was so much fun!” For six-year-old Maryam Mansoor from India, the workshop was an adventure in creativity.

“I liked putting the chocolate and pistachio together. It tasted yummy, and I want to make it again at home,” she said with a big smile.

Meanwhile, Bee’ah Group has hosted an innovative workshop, “Frame Your Memories,” designed to teach children how to transform waste materials into beautiful, functional items.

The workshop highlighted the importance of sustainability, showing young participants the creative potential of recycling.

During the workshop, a group of young schoolchildren were provided with cardboard pieces repurposed from packing materials.

Equipped with materials such as colouring pencils, sketch pens, shiny adhesive tapes, glitter flowers, and glue, each child decorated their frame in a unique style, reflecting their individuality. They left with a custom-made frame to hold a cherished photo, along with a tote bag and picture book featuring messages on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Representatives from Bee’ah’s Academy of Sustainability, Alya Al Hammadi, Aisha Al Souqi, and Eman Amheiri, led the workshop, offering hands-on guidance to the students. “Our goal is to show children how easily they can reuse materials that might otherwise be discarded,” said Alya Al Hammadi, who is also an artist.