Kareena Kapoor Khan will be attending this year’s SIBF

Makers and creators from 108 countries will converge at Expo Center Sharjah, marking the start of a cultural odyssey that will last 12 extraordinary days during the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023). According to a press release, together publishers, distributors, translators and bibliophiles, framed by more than 1.5 million titles from seven continents, join in this global literary celebration.

SIBF 2023, themed ‘We Speak Books’, offers visitors a unique opportunity to cross time and space. This year, the international event celebrates South Korea as the Guest of Honour, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and contemporary contributions alongside 2,033 publishers representing their respective nations showcasing their intellectual and creative works in Sharjah.

2,033 publishers presenting 1.5 million titles

This year, 1,043 Arab and 990 international publishers will present over 1.5 million titles, including 800,000 in Arabic and 700,000 in other languages ​​at SIBF 2023. The UAE leads the list of Arab participants with 300 publishers presenting their latest works , followed by Egypt with 284 , Lebanon with 94 and Syria with 62. On the international front, publishers from India, the United Kingdom and Turkey top the list of participants.

Emirati and Arab visitors

SIBF 2023 will host prominent Emirati writers, thinkers and poets, including distinguished personalities such as poet and researcher Khaled Al-Badou, author Dr. Mashael Al Nabooda, writer and journalist Adel Khozam, writer and journalist Mohammed Al Jokar, researcher and writer Suad Al-Araimi, writer Fathia Al Nimr, writer Dr. Aisha Al-Ghais, author Saeed Al Badi and others.

From the Arab world, SIBF 2023 welcomes Libyan author and novelist Ibrahim Al-Koni as the “Cultural Personality of the Year”, Algerian author and novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi, Egyptian novelist and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, Dr. Mohamed El Ghandoor, the Kuwaiti writer Bothayna Al Issa, Tarek Emam the critic and Egyptian poet, the Lebanese poet Talal Haydar, the Egyptian poet and writer Nour Abdel Megiud, the Egyptian media personality Reham Ayad and the writers Sarah and Hagar Abdul Rahman, along with several Arab poets, including the Saudi Fahad Al Shahrani, the Qatari Nasser Al Wubeir and the Kuwaiti Sharan Al Deehani.

International visitors

This year, SIBF 2023 will host Nigerian author Wole Soyinka, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. Canadian journalist, author and public speaker Malcolm Gladwell. Indian actress Kareena Kapoor? Swedish behavioral expert, best-selling author and active lecturer Thomas Erikson. Bulgarian writer and poet Georgi Gospodinov. Vaclav Smil, Czech-Canadian scientist and author, known for his expertise in energy, the environment and technology. American astronaut Sunitha Williams. Dutch author, speaker and life coach Swami Purnachaitanya. Indian writer Monica Halan and many others.

Six interactive spaces

SIBF 2023 will host more than 1,700 activities led by 215 visitors from 69 countries. This includes 460 cultural activities led by 127 Arab and international guests, including famous writers, thinkers, intellectuals and artists, and Nobel laureates for literature and recipients of prestigious Arab and international awards. In addition, 900 workshops will be held in six interactive spaces led by 31 visitors from 12 countries.

South Korea Guest of Honor Program

To celebrate its participation as the Guest of Honor of SIBF 2023, South Korea will hold 17 activities as part of its cultural program entitled ‘Imagination Without Borders’. The exciting agenda includes 15 cultural programs, 7 panel discussions and 5 musical performances by a selection of Korean artists. The guest of honor will also host 3 acclaimed chefs at the Cookery Corner, in addition to children’s entertainment shows and activities.

Social Media Station

During the 12-day book fair, the Social Media Station will host workshops and breakout sessions covering a variety of topics, including fostering collaborations and partnerships with social media influencers and trendsetters, artificial intelligence, and AI-powered content production .

130 shows

An exciting line-up of 130 theatrical performances, directed by artists and performers from 14 countries, will be presented during the 12-day event.

SIBF 2023 will also premiere the play ‘Barcode Prison’, the most important Emirati theater production in 2023. The cast includes Emirati actors Marwan Abdullah, Ahmed Mal Allah, Musa Al Bukishi, Bader Hakmi, Haifa Al Ali and Reem Al Faisal. Directed by Marwan Abdullah Saleh, the play humorously deals with the subject of bullying.

The cultural extravaganza will also host a children’s performance by the ALJ Sisters Band, starring Aljoud Albaanon, Wadha Alayoub and Aljourry Albaanon. The play is about three girls who experience various situations that teach them valuable lessons and social values.

Cooking corner

This year’s Cookery Corner welcomes 12 international chefs, each showcasing their unique culinary skills and cultural nuances through 45 dynamic activities. Participating chefs are Kim Kyeongmin and Kim Joohyun from South Korea, Torie True from the UK, Yohanis Gebreyesus from Ethiopia, Suzanne Husseni from Canada, Sally Butcher from the UK, Irina George from Romania, Marianna Leivaditaki from Greece, Chef Suresh UK and blending Indian flavors and Krish Ashok from India.

Thriller Festival

The highly anticipated second edition of Thriller Festival is scheduled from November 8th to 10th, in collaboration with Thriller Festival NY. This three-day event will bring together acclaimed authors of the thriller and crime genres with their fans. This year, the festival will showcase ten international authors, including bestsellers, to engage mystery and suspense lovers in the region. Featured authors include Felix Francis, Ivy Pochoda, JD Barker, Danielle Trussoni, Alex Finlay, Max Seeck, Blake Crouch, CJ Howe and Kathleen Antrim.

Sharjah International Library Conference

The 10th iteration of the Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), in association with the American Library Association (ALA), is scheduled for November 7-9. It will bring together over 400 international librarians and experts representing various libraries in the US and approximately 30 additional countries.

The Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 is open to the public daily at Expo Sharjah from 1 to 12 November 2023, Monday to Thursday from 9:30am. to 10 p.m. and Friday from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm.

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