Sharjah is set to unveil its largest International Book Fair (SIBF) in history, marking its 42nd edition this year. The event, which begins on November 1, promises an expansive selection, featuring an astounding 1.5 million titles from 2,000+ publishers hailing from 108 countries worldwide.
This year’s theme, “We Speak Books,” is reflective of the fair’s inclusive and global nature. Spearheaded by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the event will spotlight renowned figures from various fields, including US astronaut Sunita Williams, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, distinguished Algerian author Ahlam Mosteghanemi, and famed Indian actress Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, the dynamic CEO of SBA, emphasized the organization’s ambition to continually elevate the event. “Every edition seeks to surpass its predecessor. From 95 participating countries last year to 108 this year, our focus remains on embracing books and cultures from every corner of the globe,” remarked Al Ameri. He also hinted at more big names joining the fair, to be disclosed as the event nears.
Al Ameri drew attention to Sharjah’s emergence as a central node in the global publishing arena, attributing much of this success to Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA. Under her visionary leadership, Sharjah has positioned itself as a bridge connecting East and West in the publishing domain.
In a special tribute, this edition has chosen South Korea as its “Guest of Honour.” The Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Moon Byung-iun, expressed gratitude in fluent Arabic, celebrating the cultural bonds being forged between Sharjah and South Korea.
Moreover, fans of edge-of-the-seat narratives are in for a treat as the 2nd Thriller Festival runs from November 8-10, featuring celebrated authors like Felix Francis and Ivy Pochoda.
SIBF 2023 is not merely about books; it offers diverse interactive zones. Six of these zones will host 900 workshops, tackling subjects ranging from creative writing to advanced topics such as sign language.
Another highlight is the collaboration with New York University, where a unique training program will empower 120 publishers with global publishing standards and insights into the world of podcasts and storytelling.
The week before the SIBF, from 29-31 October, the Publishers Conference will convene. The event promises to be an intellectual feast, with 42 experts discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the publishing sector today. Additionally, the winners of the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award and the ABC International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing will be announced.
Lastly, the 10th Sharjah International Library Conference, in association with the American Library Association, will convene from November 7-9, connecting over 400 librarians from the US and another 30 countries, further solidifying Sharjah’s stature in the global literary and knowledge community.
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