Your guide to the best of Sharjah’s landmark event
From a discussion on travel writing to an appearance by Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan, the first week of Sharjah Book Fair can be busy. Rupert Hawksley offers his highlights
Sharjah International Book Fair is always a riot of colour and activity – and this year’s, the 38th, is unlikely to be any different. Almost 2,000 exhibitors will be at Expo Centre Sharjah, offering more than 1.6 million titles to publishers as well as eager readers of all ages.
The best way to experience the fair, which runs from today until Saturday, November 9, is simply to mosey about the endless corridors and stalls, browsing anything that takes your fancy. Don’t set a time limit on this – buying books is an activity that should never be rushed. But it is worth planning in advance, so you’ll have an idea of the talks and panel discussions you want to attend.
Some events will become extremely busy – and with 173 authors appearing and about 1,000 activities on offer, it can be hard to know where to start.
Fortunately, we have scoured the programme to dig out the events you won’t want to miss. They include talks by Orhan Pamuk, the Nobel Prize-winning Turkish author, and American comedian Steve Harvey, plus a discussion about the role of women in Emirati politics.
Also scheduled are a comprehensive children’s programme and the always lively Cookery Corner, meaning there is sure to be something for everyone in the 10 days to come.
Put your phone away, open your eyes and immerse yourself in a literary landscape like no other.
Lisa Ray: Close to the Bone
When: Friday, November 1 (6pm)
Where: Discussion Forum 1
Lisa Ray’s life changed forever when, in 2009, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. The Canadian-Indian actor and model, who starred in
Toronto Stories (2008) and Dobaara (2017), set out on a spiritual quest to find inner peace. Here she talks about her extraordinary memoir,
Close to the Bone, which covers her early, nomadic life, the ups and downs of her acting career and subsequent battles with eating disorders,
Orhan Pamuk
When: Wednesday, October 30 (7pm)
Where: Ballroom
The big names keep coming on the opening day. Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize-winning author of My Name is Red and
The Museum of Innocence will discuss an extraordinary literary career, as well as his troubled life in Turkey. Pamuk is a fabulous speaker, who is sure to engage on everything from world politics to the state of literature and everything else in between. Earlier this year, Pamuk also published Balkon, a handsome collection of
Amitabh Bachchan
When: Wednesday, October 30 (5.30pm)
Where: Ballroom
What a way to kick things off – the Indian star is here to launch a book about his half-century career in film. Sounding Off: Amitabh Bachchan, written by Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, celebrates a true Bollywood legend, featuring anecdotes, photographs and cartoons. This two-hour session will offer plenty of time for questions – a rare chance to speak to the actor, who has starred in more than
Steve Harvey Talks to Students
When: Thursday, October 31 (9.30am)
Where: Ballroom
The American comedian and host of Family Feud doles out some life advice to the young people of Sharjah. But don’t worry: it won’t all be deep, philosophical stuff (“You have to jump and take a leap of faith, in order to soar”). This is Steve Harvey, after all, so expect plenty of jokes and goofing about. Harvey will hold a second, separate session in the Ballroom later today (8pm), in which he will discuss his lengthy career in showbusiness.