The Department of Culture & Information has continued to support the written word and demonstrate its passion for books since 1982, when the first Sharjah International Book Fair was organized.
For over 30 years, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the UAE Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah, has endorsed this fair, in the hopes of promoting cultural exchange and a better understanding of Sharjah’s heritage and contemporary creativity.
SIBF 2012 is taking place from the 7th-17th of November at the Sharjah Expo Center. This annual event embraces over 924 publishers, showcasing books from nearly 62 nations, including 22 Arab countries and 40 foreign countries, and attracts over 400,000 visitors.
The 31st Edition of Sharjah International Book Fair continues to promote its primary goal of encouraging people, especially the younger generations, to read. It introduces visitors to multiple means of viewing what is published from different nations and cultures, in an interactive manner.
In addition, SIFB provides various cultural programs and activities, discussing different aspect of literature, copyrights, creativity and much more. The host of interesting activities includes an evening of poetry, as well as a photography competition.
This year’s focus is on children; organizers planned a mix of educating and entertaining programs appealing to the youth, ranging from reading sessions to animation box, design world, arts and portrait, and many more activities.
Around 21,000 students from 185 schools across the country have visited the Sharjah International Book Fair in its first five days only. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Amri, SIBF Director, said that the event saw a tremendous turnout from schools. He added that the management, in collaboration with a number of government and private organizations and school administrations, prepared a rich cultural program that includes 200 children-oriented activities.
It’s worth mentioning that SIBF 2012 saw an increase in the participation of Arabic publishing houses from 7,600 square meters to 9,613 square meters, as well as an increase in foreign participation from 1,600 square meters to 2,100 square meters.
Sharjah International Book Fair: For the love of the written word
