UOS launches the 10th annual 'We All Read Festival'

This year’s festival includes a dynamic book exhibition featuring contributions from the Emirates Publishers Association’s platform, Al Qasimi Publications, and the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA). Attendees can also engage with UoS students and faculty during exclusive book signings. Beyond the book exhibition, the festival offers an exciting lineup of literary workshops, interactive competitions, and creative art sessions, with 35 publishing houses taking part. Some of the exciting events include the paper quilling art workshop led by artist Ihsan Islah and an immersive acrylic painting session in collaboration with the University’s student art studio.

The festival also features a range of thought-provoking lectures, including Reading as a Gateway to History: How to Travel Through Time with Books presented by Amina Al-Khatri, assistant professor in the Department of History and Islamic Civilization, and Explaining the Simplified Guide to Psychiatry presented by Prof. Hamid Al-Haj, Consultant Psychiatrist at the University Hospital. Additionally, the festival hosts a poetry evening titled In the Presence of Poetry, featuring Prof. Hamda Al-Awadhi from the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, and Moudhi Abdulaziz, a UoS student. 

Throughout its duration, the festival will offer a rich program of lectures, interactive competitions, and cultural activities coordinated by the Student Activities Department. These include the Library Reading Challenge, an interactive competition corner featuring the Ushers Female Student Team, Fikr wa Qalam Club (Thoughts and a Pen Club), the University of Sharjah Young Women’s Club, and the Female Entrepreneurship Club, as well as the Finding the Lost Book competition and the Speed-Reading Challenge.

The festival’s opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Salama Al-Rahoumi, Dean of Student Affairs-Women, and other esteemed guests, including Mohammed bin Dukhain Al-Matrooshi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association, and Majd Al-Shehhi, Director of the Association. Also present were several UoS administrators, faculty, staff members, and students.