Dubai – The 41st International Book Fair, which is being successfully held at the Sharjah Expo Center under the theme ‘Let Words Spread’, will conclude tomorrow (Sunday). The organizer Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) hopes that the fair, which has already been visited by lakhs of people, will rewrite the records this time.
2,213 publishers from 95 countries, including India, lined the 18,000 square meter space of the fair with 1.5 lakh titles. Pop singer Usha Uthup, motivational speaker Joseph Annamkutty and chef Anahita Donthi will be in attendance. Malayalam writer CV Balakrishnan and Pakistani cricketer Shuaib Akhtar will participate. 2022 Booker Prize winner Indian writer Geetanjali Sri, Indian-American writer Deepak Chopra, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Indian-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur, cartoonist and writer In Pearce, British writer Pico Iyer, American writer DJ Palmer, Australian fashion Illustrator Megan Hess, Chef Vicky Ratnani, Chef Archana Doshi, Writer Ravi Subramanian, Malayalam Writer GR. Indu Gopan, Sunil P. Ilayatam, prominent writers, thinkers and others from different parts of the world came to the fair.
112 publishers including Manorama Publications from India are participating. Most of these are from Malayalam. 1,298 publishers from the Arab world and 915 from the international level are participating. Everywhere is crowded. Especially on weekends. The UAE is at the forefront with 339 publishers. Other participating publishers are Egypt-306, Lebanon-125, Syria-95 and UK-61.
Hundreds of books, including those of expatriates and writers from the country, were released at the fair this time. Many books will be done today and tomorrow. Publications are held at the Writers’ Forum in Hall No. 7, where the stalls of Indian Publishers operate. Also, books are on display in front of various stalls. Publishers brought many Malayalam writers including Shihabuddin Poithumkadav, KP Ramanunny, Taha Matai and VH Nishad to the fair.
This time, Cuba, Costa Rica, Liberia, Philippines, Ireland, Malta, Mali, Jamaica, Iceland and Hungary are also participating in the fair. 129 guests from 57 countries are present at the fair this time. Most of the 1,047 events have already taken place. The cultural programs are led by 70 eminent personalities including writers, intellectuals and artists from 15 countries. Over 200 events including panel discussions, workshops and live cooking shows will be staged. In addition, book launches, talks, seminars, debates, poetry readings, programs for children, educational programs etc. are also held. Above all, ‘the opportunity to buy the world’s best books at a low price is available at the fair. Readers are also provided with a rare opportunity to get autographed books from their favorite authors.