Autumn is the ideal time to curl up and read a book.
Perfectly coinciding with this is the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is the place to stock up on new books and meet renowned authors as well as attend insightful panels. The Sharjah Expo Centre will host the event from November 1 to November 12. Below, GRAZIA tells you everything to know about the book fair.
What is the Sharjah international book fair?
The 42nd iteration of the fair will honor a number of notable writers, film celebrities, thought leaders and influential people from around the world, including Nobel Prize winners and best-selling authors. The fair was established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi with the goal of development and advancing cultural understanding via books and reading.
The 11-day fair serves as a strategic networking opportunity for publishing industry professionals, librarians, teachers and academics. As well as authors, literary agents, authors, artists and creatives from around the world. It also provides people from different backgrounds and age groups with the opportunity to meet top authors, buy their favorite books and choose from an amazing roster of more than 1000 cultural events.
Acclaimed Authors
Over 2,000 publishers and exhibitors from 108 countries will be present at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair, showcasing a combined 1.5 million titles.
Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, the first African laureate and recipient of the Nobel Prize, is among the distinguished guest list. Malcolm Timothy Gladwell, Canadian journalist, novelist, public speaker and New York Times best selling author, will be attending the event. Other renowned authors include British Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid, author of Exit West and Thomas Erikson, a best-selling author and speaker from Sweden whose books have sold over 7 million copies.
historical artefacts exhibition
As part of the 10-day event, there will also be a historical artefacts exhibition. The University of Coimbra and the 42nd edition will collaborate on an exhibition of 60 historical artefacts. Explored in depth in this exhibition, is the Portuguese presence in the Gulf and the cultural ties developed throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Thriller festival
In collaboration with Thriller Festival NY, the much anticipated second edition of the Thriller Festival is scheduled for November 8–10. Critics and enthusiasts of the thriller and crime genres will come together for this three-day event.
Interactive spaces
The book festival will also feature an array of interactive spaces. SIBF 2023 offers six interactive areas aimed at different demographics. From 900 workshops to fresh and interesting activities by around 31 guests from 12 different countries.
