100 Years of SPL: How Sharjah Concluded its Library Centennial
Sharjah Public Libraries has concluded its 100-year anniversary celebrations with puppet theatre in the Heart of Sharjah and creative workshops at Kshisha Park.
The centennial celebrations have now officially concluded. On 8 January 2026, SPL announced the wrap-up of its year-long programme. The finale wasn't a stiff corporate dinner but a series of community-focused events across the emirate.
The closing activities took place at the Heart of Sharjah and Kshisha Park in Al Rahmaniyah. The focus remained strictly on what SPL does best: literacy, heritage, and getting young people interested in culture.
Key Takeaways
- The Milestone: SPL concluded its 100th-anniversary celebrations in January 2026.
- Locations: Events were split between the heritage-rich Heart of Sharjah and the nature-focused Kshisha Park.
- Activities: Featured puppet theatre, photography workshops, and visual arts classes.
- Target Audience: Primary focus was on children aged 6 to 13.
Puppets and History at Heart of Sharjah
The celebrations at the Heart of Sharjah leaned into the district's historical vibe. SPL collaborated with Rubu’ Qarn for Theatre and Performing Arts to stage a puppet theatre performance.
This wasn't just entertainment. The show targeted children aged six to 13, walking them through SPL's history. It covered the transition from early printed books to the digital services used today. A hands-on puppet-making workshop followed, teaching kids how to sketch and move their own creations.
Photography at Kshisha Park
Over in Al Rahmaniyah, the vibe was different. At Kshisha Park, the focus shifted to visual arts under the theme "The Aesthetics of Literary Image and Sound".
Two main workshops took place here:
- Fundamentals of Photography: In collaboration with Shurooq, children used professional cameras to interpret stories. They read texts and then captured photos that reflected the main themes, using the park's natural setting.
- Visual Compositions: Organised with FUNN, this session had kids using stones and miniature objects to build physical representations of story elements.
Here is a breakdown of the closing activities:
| Activity | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Puppet Theatre | Heart of Sharjah | SPL History & Heritage |
| Puppet Making | Heart of Sharjah | Design & Craft Skills |
| Photography Workshop | Kshisha Park | Visual Storytelling |
| Visual Compositions | Kshisha Park | Art & Literature Analysis |
A Year of Culture
These events were the tail end of a much larger programme. Throughout 2025, SPL ran activities based on four specific themes. If you missed them, here is what the year looked like:
- Literary Beginnings: Focused on creative writing and reading advocacy.
- Cultural Civilisation: Covered heritage stories and book restoration.
- Horizons of Writers: Featured calligraphy workshops and poetry recitals.
- Cultural Sustainability: The final theme, linking heritage crafts like palm tree usage to literature.
Event Data: SPL Centennial Conclusion
- Event: SPL Centennial Closing Events
- Status: Concluded (Announced Jan 8, 2026)
- Locations: Heart of Sharjah & Kshisha Park (Al Rahmaniyah)
- Key Organiser: Sharjah Public Libraries
- Website: spl.gov.ae
FAQs
When did the SPL centennial celebrations end?
The celebrations officially concluded with an announcement on January 8, 2026.
Who were the closing events for?
The final events were primarily targeted at children aged six to 13, focusing on creative skills and heritage awareness.
Are these workshops still running?
These specific centennial workshops have concluded. However, SPL regularly organises similar educational activities throughout the year.
Where is Kshisha Park?
Kshisha Park is located in the Al Rahmaniyah suburb of Sharjah. It features a library, hiking trails, and sports facilities.
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