Sharjah book fair to feature virtual sessions with leading Arab authors
EVENT WILL VIRTUALLY CONNECT AUDIENCES WITH REGIONAL LUMINARIES
The 39th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair ( SIBF) 2020, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority ( SBA), under the theme ‘ The World Reads form Sharjah’, is bringing together renowned Arab authors and intellectuals, who will be joining the fair virtually to lead a series of exciting literary and cultural discussions through the 11- day event, from November 4- 14.
The entirety of this edition’s cultural programme comprising 64 events and activities will be accessible to audiences from anywhere in the world on the ‘ Sharjah Reads’ virtual platform, launched by SBA to ensure active public participation in cultural events, while promoting local and global efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
Among the regional literary luminaries, who will be speaking at SIBF 2020 are Algerian novelist Wasini Al A’raj, whose award- winning repertoire of Arabic and French language novels including the popular, Kitab Al Amir; and celebrated Egyptian screenwriter and novelist, Ahmad Murad, whose
11- day
Sharjah International Book Fair begins on November 4
The entirety of this edition’s cultural programme comprising 64 events and activities will be accessible to audiences from anywhere in theworld.
debut novel Vertigo ( 2007) has been translated inmany foreign languages. One of the best short story writers in the region, Mansoura Ez Eldin, will also be joining from Egypt.
Prolific novelist
The line- up continues with two big names from Kuwait, writer Mishel Hamad and novelist, Ahmad Al Rifai. Prolific Bahraini novelist, columnist and cultural influencer, Dalal Abdullah Yusuf, author of three novels, Dalal Al Masaher, Qafas Mariamand Taranim Dalal, joins the SIBF 2020 cultural programme along with her peer, Layla Mutawa. Iraqi writer, poet, academic and translator, Muhsin Al- Ramli, will be joining this stellar group representing the Arab world. Audiences will also be hearing from Dr Sa’eed Al Siyabi from Oman, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Cultural Club in Oman, and has been heading the Omani Theatre Association since 2011; as well as Lebanese theatre director, writer, producer, and educator, Lina Khoury.
SIBF 2020 cultural programme will also be featuring prominent Emirati figures, including, novelist, poet, and critic Sultan Al Ameemi, who writes Nabati as well as classic Arabic poetry, and has published two novels; novelist and storyteller Fatima Sultan Al Mazrouei, winner of Sultan Al Owais Cultural Award for her novel Kam’en Al Attma ( Darkness Traps, 2013); Fathia Al Nimr, member of the Emirati Writers Union, author of The Moon Has another Side; novelist Nadia Al Najjar, winner of the SIBF Award for her novel Trio D, and the 26th edition of Sultan Al Owais Cultural Award for her story Aswat Al’alam ( Voices of the World). Home- grownnovelist and storyteller, Iman Al Yousef, whose work Guard of the Sun won first place in the 2016 Emirates Novel Award; and Emirati academic and writer Dr. Rehab Alkilani, will be joining the line- up.