Visitors at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) at the Expo Centre in Sharjah. Photos: Muhammad Sajjad
This year's Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) saw the launch of over 600 books, marking the highest number in its 43-year history. Officials believe this milestone underscores SIBF's role as a pivotal regional hub for authors. Mohan Kumar, External Affairs Executive at SIBF, noted, "This is the highest number of books launched at a single edition of the fair." He recalled that just a few years ago, only 10 to 15 books were launched annually. The surge in book launches can be attributed to the Writer’s Forum initiative, which Kumar has been associated with for over 35 years.
Kumar explained that book fairs typically host book signing sessions for popular writers, but Sharjah observed a growing number of aspiring authors eager to launch their works. Initially, these launches were accommodated within existing halls, but the idea of expanding led to the creation of the Writer’s Forum. This dedicated space, funded by the Sharjah government with Dh350,000, offers a separate enclosure with seating and soundproofing, providing a platform for writers worldwide. This year, the Sharjah Book Authority received applications from 750 writers, accommodating over 600.
The Writer’s Forum slots, each 25 minutes long, run throughout the fair, offering a free service to writers who simply need to submit an application. This year, despite having only 500 slots, many writers combined their launches, with one event seeing 10 books launched in a single 25-minute window. Kumar highlighted unique launches, including a book authored by 62 women from Kerala, some of whom were daily wage workers. The financial sacrifices these women made to attend the fair underscored SIBF's significance as a transformative platform.
Kumar also noted the delightful trend of children and young adults authoring books, countering the global concern about screen addiction. Thirteen-year-old Sajini, for instance, has authored 24 books in five languages. On Saturday, a group of 17 children, aged seven to 12, launched a joint book written during a creative writing workshop by Vmentor. Each student's book launch inspired classmates and friends, reinforcing the fair's impact.
As SIBF concluded on Sunday, Kumar emphasized that the team had no time to rest. "Planning a successful book fair is a year-long process," he said. The team travels to over 35 book fairs worldwide annually, observing trends and unique ideas to replicate in Sharjah. They aim to return next year with an even more impressive edition.
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