Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced receiving 1,500 works of art from 44 countries for the sixth edition of the Sharjah Children’s Books Illustrations Exhibition, which takes place in April. Organised by SBA as part of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, this year’s exhibition has attracted 9% more works compared to last year, which saw 1,378 submissions received.

The Sharjah Children’s Books Illustrations Exhibition was launched in 2012 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, with the aim of highlighting distinguished illustrations in children’s books. The previous five editions of the event attracted a total of more than 2,500 artists from 40 countries.

Through its organization of the Sharjah Children’s Books Illustrations Exhibition, SBA seeks to develop the children’s book industry and provide a platform for illustrators, authors and publishers, as well as other children’s book arena stakeholders. The event is designed to give artists an invaluable opportunity to meet authors and publishers and to open the door to collaboration between them in order to achieve the goal of producing premium quality creative children’s books.

Topping the list of Arab countries taking part in this year’s Sharjah Children’s Books Illustrations Exhibition are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Morocco. The list of non-Arab countries participating is headed by Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany and Romania.

“The Sharjah Children’s Books Illustrations Exhibition receives hundreds of pieces of artwork from across the world each year, with the artists behind them all vying to display the most remarkable talents in the field of visual arts. The premium quality of illustrations and the innovative techniques used to create each piece enriches the exhibition and brings into the children’s book arena skillful artists who can contribute significantly to the industry in the future,” said Salim Omar Salim, Director of Sales and Marketing at SBA.

“The large number of submission received so far for this year’s edition of the Sharjah Children’s Books Illustrations Exhibition highlights the success of its vision and mission and underscores the goal of Sharjah’s cultural project.” he added.

SBA will give cash prizes to participants, who will win the first three places: the first place winner will get USD 8,000; second will receive USD 6,000 and the third prize winner will get USD 4,000. There are other prizes worth USD 1,000 for different categories.