Visitors flocked to the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) as it opened on Wednesday at the Expo Centre in Sharjah. KT photo: Muhammad Sajjad

Grace, a Spanish expat residing in Dubai Marina, dedicated two hours of her Wednesday afternoon to attend the opening day of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). "Since relocating to the UAE six years ago, I have never missed a single book fair," she shared. "This year, I was particularly eager to attend on the first day because a renowned Spanish journalist and author is scheduled to speak. He is a revered figure in our country, and it was worth enduring the two-hour traffic jam to hear him." The 43rd edition of SIBF commenced on Wednesday, featuring over 2,500 publishers from 112 countries. This year's book fair, with Morocco as the guest of honor, is one of the most anticipated events for book enthusiasts. The event was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who emphasized the ongoing efforts to promote the Arabic language and warmly greeted the international attendees.

Grace attended the fair with her 4-year-old son, Diego, and was impressed by the diverse range of materials available. "I have a strong interest in Arabic, and my son attends an Arabic school," she explained. "I find very useful study materials here that are not commonly available in other bookstores. Additionally, the fair showcases publishers and books from all around the world. Over the years, I have discovered some unique books here."

For some visitors, the book fair is a serious commitment. Abdulla Hassan, a Dubai resident, has taken nearly ten days off work to attend SIBF daily. "My wife and I have both published books this year, and we intend to be present for the entire 11 days of the fair," he stated. "Last year, I attended after work and faced daily traffic congestion. This year, I decided to take time off and focus entirely on the book fair."

For Abdulla and his wife, Sajna, SIBF is also an opportunity to reconnect with their literary community. "We are part of a large literary circle, and almost all our friends are publishing books," Sajna noted. "Even those not publishing a book come every day, and we all spend time together here. We attend book launches, purchase books, and support each other. SIBF is one of the most eagerly awaited events each year. It offers 11 days of pure literary enjoyment. We get to meet and listen to numerous respected writers and literary figures annually."

On the first day, the Sharjah Expo Centre's halls were bustling with visitors despite it being a weekday. Students eagerly participated in various kids' workshops held in Hall 7. While some workshops focused on cooking, others taught musical instruments and painting. Thirteen-year-old Nabil, along with his younger brothers Noah and Yunis, attended a creative writing session. "It was a very engaging session, and we learned how to craft a story," Nabil shared. "The host asked us many questions and taught us how to create compelling heroes and villains."

Having moved to the UAE just two months ago, it was the first time the Somali family had attended SIBF. "It is very intriguing," Yunis remarked. "We live nearby, and my mom suggested we might return a few more times because there are so many workshops I want to try."

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