This week the Emirate of Sharjah welcomes back its long running annual book fair. The event, is not only billed as the biggest of its kind in the region, but is also one of the oldest, 2015 marking its 34th year.
Held from the 4th of November to the 14th - 2015 promises to be bigger and better than previous years, with a staggering 890 Arabic and 433 international publishing houses having announced their participation.
Highlights for the kids include meeting various top authors, workshops and, for the first time, a comic-book stand. Events include: the sword and sorcery swashbuckler- ‘Sinbad’s Adventures’ and ‘The Chem-Mystry Show’- billed as the perfect play for reluctant scientists.
Teens and adults will enjoy the evening seminars and panel discussions. Authors include Ben Okri, Sudha Murthy, Mohamed Sobhy, writer of teen fiction-Daren Shan and Japanese novelist Shogo Oketani. Attendees can expect panel discussions, book signings, poetry readings and a strong emphasis on technology as part of the modern writers’ toolkit.
Children can visit between 9am and 2pm- with boys welcomed Monday and Wednesday and girls- Sunday and Tuesday.
The Sharjah International Book Fair is held at the Sharjah Expo Centre, see: www.sharjahbookfair.com/en for more information.