Culture & Education | Thursday 2 April, 2015 4:36 pm |

This year’s ICBD theme, “Many Cultures, One Story”, focuses on global unity through literature

The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), the UAE national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), unveiled the 2015 International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) poster themed “Many Cultures, One Story”, during its participation in the IBBY meeting held on March 30th during the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Seventy-seven representatives from various IBBY sections were present, as well as a large number of media representatives.

Speaking on the occasion, HE Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Patron of the UAEBBY emphasized that the UAEBBY’s sponsorship of the 2015 ICBD is consistent with its belief in the right of children to have access to books, and in the role reading plays in shaping their views and imaginations

UAEBBY President, Marwa Al Aqroubi, announced the theme and message of this significant cultural event to attendees of the meeting. These attendees listened to Al Aqroubi’s message in both English and Arabic, and learned the meaning behind the 2015 ICBD theme, which reflects the UAE’s aim to enhance intercultural understanding and dialogue, and to instil a love of reading among children from an early age. The poster was designed by talented children’s book illustrator and art instructor, Nasim Abaeian, and reflects the universal message that conveys similarities between members of the international community based on common morals and values found in literature.


Al Aqroubi said, “It is thrilling to see the ICBD theme translated and disseminated worldwide. I invite all literary and cultural institutions in the UAE to celebrate this occasion by promoting the theme throughout our yearlong sponsorship. I look forward to large-scale participation on this day dedicated to children across the world”.

IBBY President, Wally de Doncker, also spoke at the press conference. He said, “Since Hans Christian Andersen's birthday on April 2nd, 1967, International Children's Book Day has been celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD – this section then selects a theme and invites a prominent author from its country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster to promote the day. We extend thanks to the UAEBBY for their efforts in presenting this wonderful poster for this year’s ICBD.”

Marwa Al Aqroubi called upon local institutions, societies and organisations concerned in children’s books and reading to join the ICBD celebrations and to launch supporting initiatives so that children will always remember this event. She urged them to highlight attention to children’s books in the UAE, noting that the day coincides with schools’ spring break, which allows them to organise a wide range of activities for children of all nationalities.

The UAEBBY hosted a reception at the IBBY stand at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on ICBD attended by official figures, children’s book authors, illustrators and publishers, as well as members of the national sections of the IBBY. All attendees enjoyed the celebration, which helped to bring children and books together.