Ruler of Sharjah donates Dh2.5 million to restock emirate's libraries

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi made the pledge after attending the opening day of the annual Sharjah Children's Reading Festival

A young visitor reads from her book at Sharjah children's reading festival at Expo Centre, Sharjah. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hajar Yousef tells stories in arabic at Sharjah children's reading festival.

Arts and crafts at Fairy tale corner at Sharjah children's reading festival.

A drumming workshop takes place at Sharjah children's reading festival.

Fajer 12, takes a look at a peep show and sees and elephant at Sharjah children's reading festival.

A young visitor drives the Nautilus on Voyage to the deep at the Sharjah children's reading festival.

Darth Vader makes an appearance in the comic book section at Sharjah children's reading festival.

Children look at their favourite books at the Sharjah children's reading festival.

The Ruler of Sharjah has pledged Dh2.5 million to fill the emirate's libraries with new publications.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi made the announcement after touring the 11th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival at the Sharjah Expo Centre on Wednesday.

The latest publications will be bought from publishing houses taking part at the literature festival.

The festival, which features 167 publishers from 18 countries, runs until April 27.

Doors are open from 9am to 8pm from Saturday to Wednesday, 9am to 10pm on Thursdays, and 4pm to 10pm on Fridays. Admission is free.

Last year’s event attracted 306,000 visitors.

The Ruler of Sharjah is a renowned literature lover and a published author.

Last October he launched his latest work, Baby Fatima and the King's Sons, at Frankfurt International Book Fair.