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Sharjah International Book Fair

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Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah International Book Fair 2023
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
Begins6 November 2024
Ends17 November 2024
FrequencyAnnually, in November
VenueSharjah International Book Fair Centre
Location(s)Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
Inaugurated1982; 42 years ago (1982)
Attendance2.17 million visitors (2022).
Organized bySharjah Book Authority
Websitewww.sibf.com/en/home

Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is a major annual literary and publishing event held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. As one of the world's largest book fairs, it hosted 2,033 exhibitors from 109 countries in 2023 and featured a broad range of activities throughout its 12-days.[1]

The book fair debuted in 1982 under the guidance and patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.[2]

About

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When the event was launched in 1982, it included a small number of publishers and the books were purchased by Sheikh Sultan Al-Qasimi.[2]

The book fair acts as a platform to promote publishing and reading.[3] As an event centred on the appreciation of literature, [4] it brings together authors, publishers, thinkers, artists, academics and the general public.[5]

Events

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Sharjah International Book Fair hosts a wide variety of activities, catering to diverse interests.[6] In 2023, for example, over 1,700 cultural, artistic and scientific events were organized, including an exhibition on the Portuguese presence in the Gulf during the 16th and 17th centuries, [7] environmental awareness [8] and bridge building workshops for children, [9] library-centred discussions, and academic debates on comparative knowledge sources.[10] Initiatives at the fair encompass:

Book signings  

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Book signings represent a central theme. In 2023, under the headline "We Speak Books", the event aimed to gather 600 authors from around the world, to sign their new books.[11]

Panel discussions

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SIBF hosts a number of panel discussions every year, bringing a wide range of speakers from all kinds of fields and covering many different topics.

Workshops  

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Focusing on publishing, culture, art and creativity, the book fair organizes a variety of workshops. In 2023, alongside activities centred on historical, environmental, creative and professional themes, the fair planned to host 60 illustrator-led workshops focused on comics, manga and anime.[12]

Performances

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In its celebration of culture, Sharjah International Book Fair serves as a venue for music and theatre. In 2023, the fair hosted 130 theatrical performances, including an Emirati-made play titled Barcode Prison.[13]

Awards at the Book Fair

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Sharjah International Book Fair presents awards for titles across different topics and themes, with winners honored by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority. The award categories are as follows:[14]

  • Best Emirati Novel
  • Best Emirati Academic Book
  • Best Emirati Creative Literature Book
  • Best Emirati First Novel
  • Best Arabic Novel
  • Best International Fiction Book
  • Best International Non-Fiction Book
  • Best Arab Publisher
  • Best International Publisher

The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature is also presented at the book fair, with categories that include:[15] [16]

  • Early Reader
  • Picture Book
  • Chapter Book
  • Young Adult's Book
  • Poetry

Sharjah International Book Fair Translation Grant

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Launched in 2011, the Sharjah International Book Fair Translation Grant aims to foster the exchange of literary titles by supporting the translation of Arabic literature into foreign languages and vice versa. With an annual fund of US$300,000, grants of up to US$4,000 are available for general titles, and US$1,500 for children's titles. The program has supported the translation of over 500 books, benefiting publishers such as Arab Scientific Publishers in Lebanon, the American University in Cairo Press, Mexico's Textofilia Ediciones and Book Art Nepal.[17] As of the 13th edition of the fund at the 2024 book fair, just over 2,500 applications had been submitted, nearly half of which were received at the 13th SIBF Publishers Conference held in October 2023.[18] [19]

Sharjah Publishers Conference

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The book fair is preceded by a three-day Publishers Conference, facilitating matchmaking for the buying and selling of publishing and translation rights. It also organizes roundtable discussions and workshops on topics including freedom of expression, artificial intelligence, audio formats, and market growth.[20] [21] At its latest iteration, held from 3 to 5 November 2024, nearly 1,150 publishers and literary agents from 108 countries attended, alongside authors and expert speakers.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "SIBF wraps up, celebrates 3 years as worlds largest book fair". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  2. ^ a b "Sharjah International Book Fair: nearly 40 years on, the objective remains to foster a love of reading". The National.
  3. ^ "Sharjah International Book Fair remains world's largest book fair for third year in a row". gulfnews.com. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  4. ^ Release, Press. "SBA announces industry leaders as key supporters for Sharjah International Book Fair 2024". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  5. ^ "Sharjah International Book Fair". Sharjah Events.
  6. ^ Kumar, Anjana (11 November 2022). "Sharjah International Book Fair continues to have a stellar line up of events, activities". Gulf News.
  7. ^ "SIBF wraps up, celebrates 3 years as worlds largest book fair". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  8. ^ "SPL pavilion at SIBF provides 17 diverse activities for all ages". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  9. ^ "SIBF's Building Bridges workshop inspires young innovators". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  10. ^ "SPL pavilion at SIBF provides 17 diverse activities for all ages". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  11. ^ "Sharjah International Book Fair to host an impressive 2,033 publishers from 108 nations under the theme 'We Speak Books'". Emirates News Agency - WAM. 11 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 to host 60 immersive creative workshops". Gulf News. 29 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Emirati-made play 'Barcode Prison' makes SIBF debut". Sharjah 24. 5 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Sharjah International Book Fair 2023: Sheikha Bodour honours SIBF Awards winners". gulfnews.com. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  15. ^ "Sharjah International Book Fair 2023: Sheikha Bodour honours SIBF Awards winners". gulfnews.com. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  16. ^ "Etisalat Award :: Home". etisalataward.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  17. ^ Nawotka |, Ed. "Sharjah International Book Fair 2023: Translation Grants and Awards for Books and Publishers". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  18. ^ Release, Press. "SBA receives 2,506 nominations for the SIBF Translation Grant". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  19. ^ Atalayar (2023-10-17). "Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 welcomes 2,033 publishers from 108 nations with the theme 'We Speak Books'". Atalayar. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  20. ^ ""Freedom of Writing" panel sparks insightful dialogue at SIBF". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  21. ^ Release, Press. "14th Sharjah Publishers Conference facilitates 2,993 matchmaking sessions for publishing and translation rights". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  22. ^ "14th Publishers Conf host 2993 matchmakings for publishing rights". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
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