Sharjah 24: An African musical instrument called kalimba taught by a Ukrainian trainer to schoolgirls from an Indian school in Dubai at the ongoing 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) is the greatest testimony of the unity in diversity that the emirate of Sharjah and its cultural festivals seek to achieve for its locals, resident populations as well as visitors.

The inclusive societies and education being nurtured by Sharjah and the UAE was also reflected in the readiness and warmth with which the participants shared their kalimbas with two groups of differently abled children, who also joined the music fest.  

As the session “Kalimba Melodies” began, the schoolchildren were each given a kalimba, a portable African musical instrument that is a little bigger than a smartphone, and consisting of a wooden board and 12 metal keys. Using their thumb, they first learnt to make melodies by alternately pressing the keys on either side. Then they progressed to a little dance clapping their hands and crossing them to tap their shoulders.

An hour of fun followed as the beginners learnt to play the soothing melodies of the thumb piano like professionals, sang along with the trainer, tapped their feet and clapped their hands to popular numbers as “Bella Ciao” of Money Heist fame and “Senorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.

Enthusiastically joining in the practice session were differently abled children from the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services in Kalba who have made it a point to visit all the activities at SCRF 2024.

The largest celebration of knowledge, creativity, art and innovation of its kind in the region, SCRF 2024 is taking place in Expo Centre Sharjah from May 1 to 12, and carries the slogan ‘Once Upon a Hero’.

More than 1,500 cultural, artistic, and edutainment activities by 190 guests from 25 countries have set the stage for boundless explorations and creative expression along with 470 publishers from 75 countries at SCRF 2024, which will come to a close on May 12.