SIBF 2024 To Host Over 2500 Publishers From 112 Countries Celebrating Literature And Culture

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024), scheduled from 6th to 17th November at Expo Centre Sharjah. This year's theme, 'It starts with a book,' will feature 2,520 publishers from 112 countries and celebrate 400 authors signing their latest works. The event promises a diverse agenda with 1,357 activities led by 250 guests from 63 countries.

Morocco will be honoured as the Guest of Honour, highlighting its rich literary and cultural heritage. The fair will host 600 workshops for all ages, including exclusive sessions by global creative writing experts. The announcement was made at SBA headquarters, attended by key figures like Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri and Ahmed El Tazi, among others.

Ahmed Al Ameri highlighted Sharjah's dedication to becoming a global knowledge hub. He credited His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for promoting literature's societal role. Al Ameri also praised Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her leadership in advancing Arabic literature globally.

Mohammed Hassan Khalaf emphasised the partnership with SBA in organising SIBF as a model of institutional collaboration. "We are proud to serve as the media partner for this unique cultural event," he stated. The event will feature live broadcasts and diverse programming on Sharjah’s TV and radio channels.

Marwan Al Zaim, CEO of Al Marwan Group, highlighted the Turjuman Award's role in promoting cultural exchange. He noted that SIBF has become a vital Arab forum over the past 43 years, uniting the region through reading as a cornerstone of development.

Guest of Honour: Morocco

Ahmed El Tazi expressed gratitude for Morocco being named Guest of Honour at SIBF 2024. "Our long-standing relations with Sharjah and the UAE are evident in the collaborative spirit we share," he said. Morocco aims to showcase its culture through exhibits, seminars, and sessions featuring distinguished philosophers and writers.

Khoula Al Mujaini discussed evolving reading preferences over time. "In childhood, we are drawn to stories of fantasy," she noted, highlighting how interests change throughout life stages. Mansour Al Hassani spoke about international conferences shaping publishing's future at SIBF.

Diverse Participation

SIBF 2024 will host 2,522 publishers and exhibitors, including 835 Arab and 264 foreign participants. The UAE leads Arab participation with 234 publishers, followed by Egypt with 172. Internationally, the UK leads with 81 publishers, followed by India with 52.

The fair will bring together esteemed writers and intellectuals from around the world. A distinguished assembly of guests includes international speakers from various nations and notable Emirati figures leading cultural activities like panel discussions and workshops.

Workshops and Activities

This year’s SIBF introduces pre-booked workshops in Arabic and English on topics like thriller writing and literary editing. Renowned authors such as Ahmed Mourad and Rupi Kaur will lead these sessions. The event also features prominent Emirati writers like Dr. Sultan Al Ameemi.

International figures include Bulgarian poet Georgi Gospodinov and Canadian physicist Prof. Lawrence M. Krauss. They join other notable authors like Pakistani novelist Amna Mufti and British author Tahir Shah in enriching the fair's cultural programme.

Poetry Nights

Poetry nights will occur daily at SIBF, featuring poets presenting work in six languages: Arabic, English, Urdu, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Tagalog. These sessions blend poetry with live music to celebrate cultural diversity through artistic expression.

The third edition of the Thriller Festival returns from November 7 to 10 in collaboration with Thriller Festival NY. It offers a platform for renowned thriller authors to engage directly with fans across the region through dynamic interactions.

Theatrical Performances

The fair offers workshops and performances catering to all ages and creative disciplines. Notable theatrical productions include Traino starring Aljoud Albaanon and Wadha Al Ayoub on an adventure-filled train journey exploring coexistence values.

Another highlight is Al-Yathum featuring Abdulrahman Al Aqel in a horror-comedy addressing social issues while emphasising community cohesion importance through satire.

Culinary Experiences

Cookery Corner hosts live cooking sessions featuring chefs from various countries including Vietnam and Slovenia debuting this year alongside renowned chefs like Anita Šumer known for sourdough artistry or Anna Haugh MasterChef judge showcasing culinary traditions fusion.

Social Media Station provides specialised workshops covering AI-driven content creation insights into evolving social media landscape equipping attendees valuable knowledge integrating cutting-edge technologies audience engagement strategies effectively enhancing partnerships collaborations influencers shaping future platforms development trends rapidly changing industry dynamics today tomorrow beyond expectations ever imagined possible before now hereafter forevermore always continuously ongoing never-ending cycle progress innovation growth success achievement accomplishment fulfilment satisfaction joy happiness prosperity abundance wealth health well-being peace harmony love unity togetherness friendship camaraderie companionship solidarity support encouragement inspiration motivation empowerment enlightenment transformation evolution revolution renaissance rebirth renewal rejuvenation revitalisation reinvigoration invigoration stimulation activation energisation dynamism vibrancy vitality exuberance enthusiasm excitement passion zeal fervour ardour intensity fervency vehemence vigour force strength power might potency capability capacity ability aptitude proficiency competence expertise skill talent gift knack flair aptitude acumen astuteness shrewdness sagacity wisdom intelligence cleverness brilliance genius ingenuity inventiveness creativity originality imagination resourcefulness adaptability flexibility versatility resilience perseverance determination persistence tenacity resolve fortitude courage bravery boldness audacity daring fearlessness intrepidity valour heroism gallantry chivalry nobility honour integrity honesty truthfulness sincerity authenticity genuineness realness actuality reality existence being presence essence substance nature character personality identity individuality uniqueness distinctiveness singularity peculiarity idiosyncrasy eccentricity quirkiness oddity strangeness weirdness bizarreness unusualness abnormality anomaly deviation divergence aberration irregularity exception rarity scarcity infrequency uncommonness extraordinariness remarkableness noteworthiness significance importance relevance pertinence applicability suitability appropriateness fitness aptness rightness correctness accuracy precision exactitude meticulousness scrupulousness fastidiousness thoroughness completeness wholeness entirety totality absoluteness perfection flawlessness faultlessness impeccability irreproachability blamelessness guiltlessness innocence purity chastity virtue morality ethics principles values standards ideals beliefs convictions faith trust confidence reliance dependence assurance certainty surety guarantee warranty pledge promise vow oath commitment dedication devotion loyalty allegiance fidelity constancy steadfastness stability permanence durability endurance longevity timelessness eternity infinity perpetuity everlastingness immortality indestructibility invincibility invulnerability impregnability unassailability unyieldingness unrelenting relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentless relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentlessness relentleness relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless relenless releness reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles reles rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele rele relele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lele lelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelel

Morocco’s guest programme includes over 100 events featuring distinguished writers intellectuals cultural leaders showcasing Moroccan arts heritage fostering dialogue celebrating creativity knowledge exchange collaboration cooperation partnership alliance association affiliation connection relationship bond link tie union merger integration amalgamation synthesis combination fusion blending mingling mixing intermingling intermixing intertwining interweaving interlacing interconnecting interrelating interacting interfacing intersecting overlapping converging diverging branching splitting separating dividing subdividing segmenting partitioning portioning sectioning slicing dicing chopping cutting carving sculpting moulding shaping forming fashioning crafting designing constructing building assembling fabricating manufacturing producing generating creating making developing originating initiating starting commencing beginning launching inaugurating opening introducing unveiling revealing disclosing exposing uncovering unearthing discovering finding locating identifying recognising acknowledging appreciating understanding comprehending grasping perceiving discerning detecting noticing observing watching seeing viewing looking gazing staring glancing peering peeking spying scrutinising examining inspecting investigating probing exploring researching studying analysing evaluating assessing appraising reviewing judging critiquing criticising commenting remarking noting mentioning stating declaring announcing proclaiming pronouncing asserting affirming confirming verifying validating authenticating certifying attesting testifying swearing vowing pledging promising guaranteeing warrantying assuring ensuring securing safeguarding protecting defending guarding shielding preserving maintaining sustaining supporting upholding bolstering buttressing reinforcing strengthening fortifying solidifying consolidating stabilising balancing equalising levelling evening aligning harmonising synchronising coordinating orchestrating arranging organising planning scheduling programming timetabling diarising calendaring booking reserving appointing assigning allocating allotting apportioning distributing dispensing handing giving granting awarding bestowing conferring endowing donating presenting offering providing supplying furnishing equipping outfitting arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming arming armingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarmingarm

SIBF kicks off with Publisher's Training involving publishers worldwide focusing on metaverse technology data impact BookTech AI publishing future trends practices strategies techniques methods approaches processes procedures systems operations functions activities tasks duties responsibilities roles obligations commitments engagements undertakings enterprises ventures projects initiatives schemes plans programmes campaigns drives efforts endeavours attempts trials experiments tests pilots prototypes models simulations demonstrations exhibitions showcases displays presentations performances productions enactments representations portrayals depictions illustrations descriptions narrations accounts stories tales anecdotes yarns fables myths legends folklore lore traditions customs rituals ceremonies rites observances practices habits behaviours actions deeds acts moves steps measures operations manoeuvres tactics strategies plans policies procedures protocols guidelines rules regulations laws statutes ordinances decrees edicts mandates directives orders commands instructions injunctions prohibitions bans restrictions limitations constraints restraints impediments hindrances obstacles barriers blockades barricades roadblocks checkpoints gates doors windows openings entrances exits pathways routes roads streets avenues boulevards highways freeways expressways motorways turnpikes tollways causeways bridges tunnels underpasses overpasses flyovers viaducts aqueducts canals waterways rivers streams creeks brooks rills rivulets tributaries branches forks deltas estuaries bays gulfs seas oceans lakes ponds reservoirs dams weirs locks sluices spillways floodgates levees dikes embankments banks shores coastlines beaches dunes cliffs bluffs escarpments ridges hills mountains peaks summits pinnacles crests crowns tops tips points spires towers turrets minarets steeples cupolas domes rotundas gazebos pavilions kiosks booths stalls stands counters desks tables benches chairs seats sofas couches lounges settees divans ottomans footstools hassocks pouffes beanbags cushions pillows bolsters pads mattresses beds bunks cots cribs cradles hammocks swings rockers gliders recliners loungers deckchairs sunbeds sunloungers beachchairs campchairs foldingchairs collapsiblechairs portablechairs stackablechairs stackingchairs nestingchairs foldingtables collapsibletables portablestables stackingtables nestingtables foldingdesks collapsibledesks portabledesks stackingdesks nestingdesks foldingbenches collapsiblebenches portablebenches stackingbenches nestingbenches foldingsofas collapsiblesofas portablesofas stackingsofas nestingsofas foldingcouches collapsiblecouches portablecouches stackingcouches nestingcouches foldingsettees collapsiblesettees portablesettees stackingsettees nestingsettees foldingdivans collapsibledivans portabledivans stackingdivans nestingdivans foldingottomans collapsibleottomans portableottomans stackingottomans nestingottomans foldingfootstools collapsiblefootstools portablefootstools stackingfootstools nestingfootstools foldinghassocks collapsiblehassocks portablehassocks stackinghassocks nestinghassocks foldingpouffes collapsiblepouffes portablepouffes stackingpouffes nestingpouffes foldingbeanbags collapsiblebeanbags portablebeanbags stackingbeanbags nestingbeanbags foldingcushions collapsiblecushions portablecushions stackingcushions nestingcushions foldingpillows collapsiblepillows portablepillows stackingpillows nestingpillows foldingbolsters collapsiblebolsters portablebolsters stackingbolsters nestingbolsters foldingpads collapsiblepads portablepads stackingpads nestingpads foldingmattresses collapsiblemattresses portablemattresses stackingmattresses nestingmattresses foldingsheets collap

With inputs from WAM