SIBF, Sharjah’s cerebral event hits milestone
Books expose you to a brave new world. Here creativity and imagination shine, and stories are told that simply captivate the mind of the reader no end. They could be on any topic but at the end of the day, they have a moral to convey: the triumph of good over the bad.
Books shape the personality of the reader, and even his choices. They are a fantastic companion, even in an age of digital media and all other things electronic.
The emphasis on culture and all things books in Sharjah is on an industrial strength scale. The annual cultural festival Sharjah International Book Fair, which is going from strength to strength, is a classic example of pushing the boundaries of reading.
Ever since it was launched, it has simply enthralled whoever entered its portals. Now, the 40th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) takes place from November 3 - 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah.
To be held under the theme, ‘There is always a right book’, the milestone edition promises to strengthen the emirate’s cultural status as it sets the stage for a truly global line-up of authors, publishers, creatives, and intellectuals who will be leading the fair’s 11-day activities.
SIBF 2021 will mark its 40th anniversary with the presence of a range of regional and international publishers. It has a vibrant mix of literary and cultural programmes aimed at enhancing cross-cultural dialogue, and meeting the aspirations of a broad audience of readers from the UAE, the region and the world.
Credit for the Sharjah International Book Fair gaining global cachet solely goes to His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah,, who has been ramping up the atraction of this cerebral event with full-on fervour by adding new features, and guests, every year.
The emphasis on books forms the cornerstone of Sharjah’s drive to catapult the emirate into the forefront of educational and intellectual development.
No one is born with a tome on his lap. No mater what your specialisation or sphere of interest is, you become a reader for life when you find that one book that means everything to you.
Sharjah has an out-of-the-box approach to the pages of learning. For it is within the leaves of a book that the tree of knowledge goes and spreads it branches far and wide.
Announcing the cultural event, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “We encourage people from all backgrounds and age groups to atend this exceptional edition, which will further the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, to invest in human capital and enrich community’s knowledge to drive development. Nations rely on people for advancement, and people’s learning experiences of both their own and global cultures form the first building block of civilisational progress.”
SIBF is not only about atending literary discussions or buying books. It is a key component of Sharjah’s comprehensive development project, which started over more than 40 years ago to build strong bridges of exchange and friendship between Arab and global cultures. At the same time, the fair emphasises the importance of reading as a daily habit and nurtures an everlasting relationship between individuals and books.
The new edition of SIBF will provide a strong impetus for international creative industries ater the challenges they went through during the pandemic. The 40th edition will continue the efforts undertaken in previous editions to help global industry stakeholders fully recover and prosper again.
The SIBF is an avenue to build his new bridges and forge new ties. Many participating publishers and cultural entities are taking part for the first time, and looking forward to exploring cooperation opportunities with their counterparts in the Arab world.