SHARJAH – The 36th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) will celebrate literature, knowledge and culture for 11 days at Expo Center Sharjah, from November 1-11. 1,650 publishing houses from 60 countries will participate in the world’s third largest book fair and there will be 1.5 million titles on the display. UK will be celebrated as this years ‘Country of Honour’.
This year’s edition is themed as ‘A World inside My Book’, it will spread across 14,625 square meters and feature 393 guests from 48 countries who will take part in more than 2,600 events. The event is being organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The event is sponsored by Etisalat Northern Emirates (ENE) and Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC) will be the official media partner for the event
SBA revealed the details of SIBF 2017, during a press conference held on Wednesday at Sharjah Public Library. The conference was attended by HE Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA; HE Mohammed Khalaf, Director Genral of SMC and HE Mohammed Al Omaimi, acting General Manager of ENE, and Hannah Henderson, Head of UK/UAE 2017 year of Creative Collaboration, British Council.
During the conference, Al Ameri highlighted the prestigious stature enjoyed by SIBF on the global literary arena after it had become an integrated cultural project inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah. Al Ameri gave a detailed presentation of SIBF 2017’s programme’s, its honourable guests and its new initiatives. He said that this years theme ‘A World inside My Book’ exemplifies the book’s value as the core source of knowledge that opens new doors into new worlds.
The activities planned at SIBF 2017 are of diverse nature, including the Cultural Programme, the Cultural Cafe, the Intellectual Programme, the Cookery Corner, Social Media Station and the Kids’ Programme.
SIBF has a new initiative this year: For the very first time, SIBF is allocating a special pavilion titled ‘The Future Zone’ that will bring together 10 companies specialized in digital books. There will be a smart application will allow visitors and exhibitors to know all the details of this year’s edition.
HE Mohammed Khalaf and Hannah Henderson briefed the audience about the further details of SIBF.
A distinguished list of renowned personalities from Arab and outside Arab region will be attending SIBF 2017. From Pakistan former cricketer Wasim Akram and author and journalist Mohammed Hanif will be making an appearance.
