Travel back in time and meet key figures – real and fictional – who have revolutionised human history, at the ‘Big Names in History’ roaming show parading the halls of the 12^th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival taking place in Expo Centre Sharjah until May 29.

An excited buzz fills the air as children and parents watch spellbound when statue like silhouettes dressed as Isaac Newton, Elizabeth I of England, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi and Sherlock Holmes walk regally into the Main Hall dressed in grand, green-gold costumes.

“We created the look of these characters keeping in mind what the original statues of famous historical figures usually look like in the streets, after they have been exposed to various natural elements like rain, sun, frost and even rust,” explains Art Manager Radovan Mikhalov.

Curious kids gravitate cautiously towards each of these characters eager to interact and pose with the ‘live’ statues, as parents start clicking pictures excitedly.

A show-stopper with immense charisma, Sherlock Holmes regales kids with his large magnifying glass, as the 16^th century English monarch stands proudly in the hallway wearing her crown and holding a powerful scepter Newton needs no introduction and has with him the famous apple with which he proved the theory of gravity. First to treat algebra as an independent discipline, mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi has a scroll tucked tightly under his arm.

On for the next four days, the roaming show gives children the unique opportunity to get familiar with famous historical characters as parents attending the event seem equally excited at the chance to refresh their memory and remember these famous historical personalities.

Themed ‘For Your Imagination’ the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is hosting more than 500 activities, including children’s workshops, plays, roaming shows, and literary discussions by leading authors and intellectuals, daily from 4 – 10pm. On Saturday, the festival is welcoming visitors from
10am – 10pm. For the first time in its 9-year history, SCRF has taken its programme to other emirates in the UAE including Dubai.