This year's SIBF is set to amaze young visitors and challenge their creative imaginations
Sharjah - More than just story tellers, this year's guest list will comprise chefs, poets, film directors, actors and journalists too
Published: Wed 1 Nov 2017, 7:39 PM
His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah today inaugurated the 36th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).
With more than 1.5 million books on display, it's time to get your reading glasses on.
Authors, publishers and prominent local and international personalities will make their way to the Expo Centre Sharjah for the opening day of the book fair - the third largest in the world.
Hosting 393 well-known authors and guests from 48 countries, this year's fair will do little to disappoint the UAE's book worms with more than 2,600 events to keep them busy.
This year's theme, 'A World in My Book,' will reflect the infinite possibilities of the written word in all genres from works of fiction, science, poetry and philosophy to history, technology, biographies and cultural knowledge. And new to the fair this year will be the Comics pavilion too.
One not-to-miss feature for the public this year will be a rare display of one of the oldest manuscripts of the Quran, which with be accompanied by a panel discussion to give more insight about this historical treasure.
An agenda set to awe
More than just story tellers, this year's guest list will comprise chefs, poets, film directors, actors and journalists too. So with the written and spoken word coming in an array of forms, guests will not be left twiddling their thumbs.
Guests of honour
A dedicated programme to shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of English literature and strengthen cultural ties between the UAE and the UK will be a mainstay of the fair this year. Elite authors and prominent literary figures from the UK will mark the nation's role as the 2017 'Guest of Honour' with such acclaimed authors and celebrated media personalities as Mark Billingham, creator of London-based detective Tom Thorne; Mark Ellis, author of the DCI Frank Merlin series; and bestselling historical romance writer, Nicola Cornick.
But more than just a fair for the older book lovers out there, this year's SIBF is set to amaze young visitors and challenge their creative imaginations.
Live performances, entertainment acts, acrobatic shows, cultural events and a series of workshops in art, literature and writing will be on offer everyday for them to interactive with. More than 44 artists and performers hailing from 22 countries around the globe will deliver this year's Kids Programme.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOU BUSY
Get with the times
What: The 'Future Zone'
Where: Hall 1
When: Throughout SIBF
This is a dedicated zone for publishers and distributors of e-books and audio books. This zone was initiated in response to the huge number of online book sales with an aim to meeting the demands of the digital era
A rare glimpse
What: Everlasting Readings (Birmingham Quran Manuscript: Study of the Origin)
Where: Cultural Cafes
When: November 2, 8pm
The University of Birmingham holds one of the oldest manuscripts of the Qur'an, belonging to the early seventh century. Learn about this significance of this ancient artefact
Wanna get your book signed?
What: Book signing corner
Where: Hall 3
When: Throughout SIBF
A highlight of the fair will be the book signing opportunities for fans, bookworms and culture enthusiasts who will deepen their love of reading even further through the 'Book Signing Corner', which will host over 200 events by renowned local, regional and international authors.
A super encounter
What: Meet and greet a super hero
Where: Hall 7
When: November 1, 7pm
Come to this meet and greet with a comic book superhero! Split your sides with a good laugh at a special comedy act, just for you!
Dress to impress
What: The Virtual Dresser (photo booth)
Where: Hall 7
When November 3, 3.30pm
Want to become your favourite comic character? Step up to our ultra-cool mirror, scroll through twenty different comic costumes, take your pick, and see yourself as your favourite character
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Must-see guests
Wasim Akram > Pakistan's former cricket team captain, commentator, TV personality, sports specialist and host. Ranked as the best left-arm bowler and one of the greatest cricketers ever produced in the history of international cricket spanned over 150 years, Akram holds unique and exceptional records in the game.
Mohammed Hanif > Award-winning British-Pakistani writer and journalist. Author of the critically acclaimed book "A Case of Exploding Mangoes," which won the Commonwealth Prize for Best Book; longlisted for the Booker Prize, shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. Hanif writes a monthly opinion piece in The New York Times.
Anuja Chauhan> The Indian author has worked in advertising for more than 17 years and is credited with many popular campaigns. Chauhan is the author of four bestselling novels The Zoya Factor, Battle for Bittora, Those Pricey Thakur Girls, The House That BJ Built, two of which have been optioned by major Bollywood studios.
Derek O'Brien > O'Brien is Asia's best-known quizmaster and is a multiple award-winning host of the longest-running game show on Indian television, The Bournvita Quiz Contest. He has authored over 45 reference and quiz books.
Peter Frankopan> The British historian is a professor of global history at Oxford University, where he is also senior research fellow at Worcester College, Oxford, and director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research. He works on the history of trade, religion, ideas and culture across Europe and Asia, with a particular focus on the Byzantine empire and on the Silk Roads of then past, present and future.
Manu Joseph >Manu Joseph is an Indian journalist and writer. He is the former editor of Open magazine
Ibrahim Nasrallah > A Palestinian novelist and poet, Nasrallah's works include the "Al Malhat Alfalistinia" (The Palestinian comedy). His five novels and his poetry collection have been translated into English and three books into Italian.
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