Sharjah: Organisers of the Sharjah International Book Fair confirmed on Tuesday that this year's event will feature a large variety of English language books than what was previously offered.
"Last year we received complaints that there were not enough book titles in the foreign section. This year, we want to offer more general books for Western expatriates and there will be over 45,000 book titles in the English section," said Ahmad Bin Rekadh, general manager of Sharjah International Book Fair.
In 2009, there were 29,224 titles in the foreign language section.
A total of 788 publishing houses from 53 countries are expected to participate in the 29th edition of the book fair which runs at the Sharjah Expo Centre from October 26 to November 6.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will inaugurate the 12-day event.
Organised by the Department of Culture, the book fair will also host a number of prominent authors and personalities to conduct lectures, which will be catered to non-Arab speakers as they will be provided with translation devices.
"One of our missions is to get distinguished personalities to the book fair. We have coordinated with international firms to invite them here, and we will continue to hold such events in the future," said Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman, Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah.
Such intellectual personalities include Jean Marie Clezio, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2008, Zahi Wahbe, a famous television anchorman and poet, and Dr Mohammad Sediqui Arab, Head of Egyptian Book Association.
A poetry recital by Indian writers will be conducted by Sethu on October 29, Professor V. Madhusoodanan Nair on October 30, and Professor O.N.V. Kurup on November 5.
A whole section is reserved for children, covering all fields of knowledge, in addition to programmes that include puppet shows, plays and story telling.
A series of cultural activities and vocational programs for adults will accompany the book fair, consisting of courses regarding UAE publishers, pictorial books and digital publishers.
Schedule
- WHAT: Sharjah International Book Fair
- WHEN: October 26 to November 6
- WHERE: Sharjah Expo Centre
