Dubai: The much awaited Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) will return on October 31 for another exciting calendar of events, it was announced on Wednesday.
The 37th edition of the largest annual literary and cultural gala will run from October 31 to November 10, featuring a host of leading authors, publishers and activities, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) said.
The upcoming edition, to be held at Sharjah Expo Centre, will attract over 1,000 publishers from around the world who are expected to bring to the fair a host of literary, scientific and academic publications in different languages.
Leading Arab and international writers, artists, intellectuals, cultural personalities, chefs and performers will fill SIBF’s 11-day itinerary with a variety of exciting discussions and debates, literary seminars, poetry readings, workshops for children and adults, cultural shows, edutainment exercises and more.
“The fair is much more than an annual 11-day fair. It is now an essential component of our collective sociocultural memory,” said Ahmad Al Ameri, SBA chairman, describing SIBF as a unique experience for everyone who visits or is part of the fair. “There are those who buy their first book; some others visit to enhance cultural relations; and some come searching for the author who changed their life. SIBF is a valuable opportunity for parents to ignite in their children a fondness for books and reading, and inspire a curiosity among them to learn about the world they live in.”
SIBF is an annual opportunity for people to be introduced to a one-of-a-kind cultural extravaganza where multiple nationalities and ethnicities get together to share their experiences and explore other cultures. In doing so, SIBF extends Sharjah’s efforts to build strong bridges of communication with the world, Al Ameri emphasised.
“The whole world is eager in anticipation, which clearly reflects the place SIBF occupies in people’s hearts, and the role it has played in elevating Sharjah’s efforts to foster culture.”
SIBF’s new edition follows SBA’s efforts at the local and international levels to forge partnerships and enhance relations with cultural entities and publishers from around the world. SBA has fostered successful cultural relationships with Europe, Asia and Latin America, by participating at their book fairs as well as key forums and international conferences.
Sharjah was selected as a special guest at the Paris International Book Fair last year, the Guest of Honour at Sao Paulo International Book this year, and will be playing the same role at New Delhi International Book Fair next year.
SIBF is one of the top three book fairs in the world. The cultural status of the fair — which hosts various literary and cultural personalities from around the world — is reinforced by the impact on international intellectuals and authors.
