'It starts with a book,' proclaims the theme. If books had lives, they would have their own stories to share. These narratives will come to life as the UAE's beloved book fair, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), opens its doors on Wednesday, November 6.
The 43rd edition will host over 2,520 publishers from 112 countries, offering a plethora of activities until the final day on Sunday, November 17, at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme 'It Starts with a Book,' this 12-day cultural celebration will feature prominent Emirati authors and intellectuals such as Dr. Sultan Al Ameemi, Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, and writer Eman Al Yousuf. Notable figures from around the world include Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz, author Ahmed Mourad, and poet Hisham El Gakh.
Internationally acclaimed participants include Bulgarian poet Georgi Gospodinov, Canadian physicist Lawrence M. Krauss, Pakistani novelist Amna Mufti, British historian Peter Frankopan, and Indian actress Huma Qureshi. SIBF 2024 will also welcome Stephen Bartlett from the United Kingdom, a renowned entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and host of Europe’s most popular podcast, The Diary of a CEO.
The 43rd edition will host an evening of music and conversation with the celebrated Egyptian composer Omar Khairat on Saturday, November 9 at 8pm. For the grand finale on November 17 at 7:30 p.m., Kuwaiti artist Humood Alkhudher will entertain the SIBF audience with his uplifting music.
This year, SIBF will offer a comprehensive programme of 600 workshops for various age groups, including specialised thriller and suspense writing workshops. The fair will also celebrate Algerian author and novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi as the 'Cultural Personality of the Year'.
The 43rd edition will host a diverse gathering of 134 guests from 32 countries, leading over 500 cultural events. The fair will feature 105 live performances, including the cultural play Traino and Al-Yathum, a horror-comedy.
The popular Thriller Festival will run from November 7-10, featuring 14 acclaimed writers. Poetry Nights will unite poets from around the world in a blend of six languages, fusing poetry with live music.
Visitors can enjoy 47 live cooking sessions led by 17 international chefs. The Social Media Station will offer educational and entertaining activities for children and youth.
As the Guest of Honour, Morocco will present a rich cultural programme featuring 107 events led by 100 writers and intellectuals, alongside ten cooking sessions.
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