Literature blogger Meghana Rao (@megsblogged) brings you everything you need to know about the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair – explaining how H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi vision of an “oasis of knowledge and enlightenment” is brought to life through inspiring and internationally-renowned guest authors, actors and speakers. With over 2000 publishers and ranked as the 4th largest book fair in the world it is most definitely a spectacle not to be missed. Get Meghana’s lowdown and plan your visit now!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr.Seuss
There couldn’t have been a more apt quote about reading. The benefits of reading are many. It stimulates our mind, makes us smarter, helps us build better vocabulary and lights up new ideas, increases creativity, imagination and knowledge. If you love reading, you are in for a treat as the most awaited literary event of the year begins this month.
The Sharjah International Book Fair begins on 30th October 2019. It is an 11-day international book fair held annually in Sharjah, UAE. Launched in 1982 under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, SIBF holds a position of prestige as a promoter of literacy, heritage and culture, and attracts millions of book lovers.
Message about Sharjah International Book Fair by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi:
“Those of us who enjoy reading in the emirate of Sharjah are very keen to create a reading community and promote the benefits of reading among children. For that reason, we provide the best, most suitable books for the whole family. We believe that books must be available to all and from this concept we turn book fairs into an oasis of knowledge and enlightenment.”
Sharjah International Book Fair is recognized as one of the world’s top publishing events and is the largest in the Arab world. The book fair is ranked as the 4th largest fair in the world. SIBF attracts visitors from all around the world and hosts prominent personalities, intellectuals and artists from the publishing and cultural sphere. SIBF also organizes multiple events during the 11-day duration. SIBF 2018 has been the most successful edition so far with 1,874 exhibitors from 77 countries, with 1.60 million titles on display and 2.38 million visitors.
SIBF 2019 will be carrying the theme, “Open Books Open Minds”, one of the primary goals being to foster an environment of knowledge and innovation built on the foundation of books and reading.
The dates for SIBF 2019 is 30th October-09 November and the opening hours are 09:00-22:00 every day and on Fridays it is 16:00-23:00. The location for Sharjah International Book Fair is Expo Center Sharjah in Al Khan Area, Al Taawun Street, near Arab Mall. There are no entry charges.
There will be activities like the book signing corner where the audience will get an opportunity to meet with a wide range of acclaimed international and local authors, academics, poets and intellectuals. Around 2000 publishers are expected to take part in the event.
SIBF 2019 will host around 170 acclaimed authors from 68 countries during the event. Prominent authors like Vikram Seth, Anita Nair, Orhan Pamuk, Ashwin Sanghi, Mark Manson, Ravish Kumar and Inaam Kachachi are participating in the event.
Prominent personalities from Indian cinema like actresses Manisha Koirala and Lisa Ray, lyricist and poet Gulzar, Malayalam star Tovino Thomas and singer K Chitra will participate in SIBF 2019.
Manisha Koirala will discuss her book ‘Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life’ and Lisa Ray will talk about how she prevailed over a life-threatening disease detailed in her autobiography ‘Close To The Bone’.
Hollywood is represented by the popular American TV personality and talk show host Steve Harvey and he will also be the guest of honor for SIBF 2019.
Steve Harvey. Image Credit: Supplied
As part of other activities there will be cookery programs with celebrated chefs, children’s programs, cultural programs, plays, arts, craft, poetry readings, panel discussions and various kinds of exhibitions and a social media station.
Plan your visit to Sharjah International Book Fair 2019, participate in events, workshops and informative sessions. It will be a very enriching experience.
Phone: +971 6 514 0000
Fax: +971 6 514 0111
Email: info@sibf.com
Website: www.sibf.com
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