- 2,033 publishers and exhibitors from 108 countries presenting 1.5 million titles.
- 1,700 events bringing together more than 215 guests from 69 countries
- 460 cultural events will be hosted by 127 Arab and international guests.
Sharjah: Creatives and makers from 108 countries will converge at the Expo Center Sharjah on Wednesday, marking the start of a cultural odyssey that will span 12 extraordinary days during the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023). They are joined by publishers, distributors, translators and bibliophiles, surrounded by more than 1.5 million titles from seven continents, uniting in this global literary celebration.
SIBF 2023, with the theme “We Speak Books”, offers visitors a unique opportunity to travel through time and space. This year, the international event celebrates South Korea as the guest of honor, 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 publishers and 990 international publishers will present more than 1.5 million titles, including 800,000 in Arabic and 700,000 in other languages at SIBF 2023. The UAE leads the list of participants Arab countries with 300 publishers presenting their latest works, followed by Egypt with 284, Lebanon with 94 and Syria with 62. On the international scene, publishers from India, the United Kingdom and Turkey lead the way. list of participations.
Emirati and Arab guests
SIBF 2023 will host prominent Emirati writers, thinkers and poets, including eminent figures such as poet and researcher Khaled Al-Badou, author Dr Mashael Al Nabooda, author and journalist Adel Khozam, author and journalist Mohammed Al Jokar, the Suad researcher and author. Al-Araimi, author Fathia Al Nimr, author Dr. Aisha Al-Ghais, author Saeed Al Badi and others.
From the Arab world, SIBF 2023 welcomes the Libyan writer and novelist Ibrahim Al-Koni as “Cultural Personality of the Year”, the Algerian writer and novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi, the Egyptian novelist and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, Dr Mohamed El Ghandoor , Kuwaiti author Bothayna Al Issa, Egyptian critic and poet Tarek Emam, Lebanese poet Talal Haydar, Egyptian poet and author Nour Abdel Megiud, Egyptian media personality Reham Ayad and writers Sarah and Hagar Abdul Rahman, alongside several Arab poets, including the Saudi Fahad Al Shahrani, the Qatari Nasser Al Wubeir and the Kuwaiti Sharean Al Deehani.
International guests
This year, SIBF 2023 will welcome Nigerian author Wole Soyinka, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986; Canadian journalist, author and speaker Malcolm Gladwell; Indian actress Kareena Kapoor; Thomas Erikson, Swedish behavioral expert, best-selling author and active speaker; the Bulgarian author and poet Georgi Gospodinov; Vaclav Smil, Czech-Canadian scientist and author known for his expertise in energy, environment and technology; American astronaut Sunitha Williams; Dutch author, speaker and life coach Swami Purnachaitanya; Indian author Monica Halan and many others.
Six interactive spaces
SIBF 2023 will host more than 1,700 activities led by 215 guests from 69 countries. This includes 460 cultural activities hosted by 127 Arab and international guests, including renowned writers, thinkers, intellectuals and artists, as well as Nobel Prize winners in literature and recipients of prestigious Arab and international awards. In addition, 900 workshops will be organized in six interactive spaces led by 31 guests from 12 countries.
South Korea Guest of Honor Program
To celebrate its participation as the guest of honor at SIBF 2023, South Korea will organize 17 activities under its cultural program titled “Imagination Without Borders”. The exciting agenda includes 15 cultural programs, 7 panel discussions and 5 musical performances from selected Korean artists. The guest of honor will also welcome 3 renowned chefs to the Cookery Corner, in addition to shows and entertainment activities for children.
Social Media Post
Throughout the 12-day book fair, the Social Media Station will host workshops and specialist sessions covering a wide range of topics, including improving partnerships and collaborations with influencers and social media trends, artificial intelligence, as well as the production of AI-enhanced content. .
130 shows
A captivating program of 130 theater performances, led by artists and performers from 14 countries, will be presented during the 12-day event.
SIBF 2023 will also present the play “Barcode Prison”, the most significant 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 addresses the issue of harassment with humor.
The cultural extravaganza will also host a children’s play by the ALJ Sisters Band, featuring Aljoud Albaanon, Wadha Alayoub and Aljourry Albaanon. The play tells the story of three girls experiencing various situations that teach them valuable lessons and social values.
Kitchenette
This year’s Cookery Corner welcomes 12 international chefs, each showcasing their culinary prowess and distinct cultural nuances through 45 dynamic activities. Participating chefs include Kim Kyeongmin and Kim Joohyun from South Korea, Torie True from the United Kingdom, Yohanis Gebreyesus from Ethiopia, Suzanne Husseni from Canada, Sally Butcher from the United Kingdom, Irina George from Romania, Marianna Leivaditaki from Greece, the chef Suresh Pilla mixing UK and Indian flavors and Krish Ashok from India.
Thriller Festival
The highly anticipated second edition of Thriller Festival is scheduled for November 8-10, in partnership with Thriller Festival NY. This three-day event will bring together renowned thriller and crime authors with their aficionados. This year, the festival will highlight ten international authors, including bestsellers, to interact with 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 edition of the Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA), is scheduled for November 7-9. It will bring together more than 400 international librarians and specialists representing diverse libraries in the United States and around 30 additional countries.
The Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 is open to the public daily at Expo Sharjah from November 1 to 12, 2023, Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., as well as Saturdays and Sundays. from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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