The latest Rewayat release explores the mirror as a companion teaching self-care before self-presentation. It calls for discovering inner calm and experiencing a life enriched by contemplation…reports Asian Lite News
Many book-inspired activities at the ongoing 42nd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023) are taking visitors on unique journeys of learning and new discoveries. Amongst thousands of such offerings, one stands out – a silent parade organised by Rewayat imprint of the UAE-based publisher Kalimat Group.
The parade is inspired by their latest book release, titled Mirror Meditation: The Power of Neuroscience and Self-Reflection to Overcome Self-Criticism written by Dr. Tara Well, a psychology professor and self-awareness coach.
The latest Rewayat release explores the mirror as a companion teaching self-care before self-presentation. It calls for discovering inner calm and experiencing a life enriched by contemplation.
The silent parade led by talented artists offers a stark contrast to the bustle of the lively book fair demanding immediate attention. The parade glides across the book fair’s premises, with the artists holding mirrors and gazing into them contemplatively, symbolic of the need for self-reflection and introspection.
The artist’s painted faces make their introspective stance more prominent to the audiences, encouraging them to look inwards, and perhaps, turn to the book that inspired this unique artistic performance.
SIBF 2023’s theme, ‘We Speak Books,’ encapsulates most activities, including Rewayat’s parade introducing the book, where author Dr. Tara Well raises self-reflective questions about our image in the mirror. She proposes that we look at ourselves to gain a deeper understanding and wisdom about our identities.
Well believes that mirrors can elicit powerful feelings and offer unexpected self-insights. They are fundamental tools for addressing life’s challenges because they allow us to confront ourselves directly.
The 42nd annual Sharjah International Book Fair opened its doors with 2,033 publishers and exhibitors from 108 countries showcasing 1.5 million titles.
Creatives and creators from 108 countries converged at the Expo Centre Sharjah on Wednesday, marking the commencement of a cultural odyssey that will span 12 extraordinary days during the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023). Joining them are publishers, distributors, translators, and bibliophiles, surrounded by more than 1.5 million titles from seven continents, uniting in this global literary celebration.
⠀ أصل كلمة “عرب” ومن أين أتت؟⠀ ⠀ في كلمة صاحب السمو الشيخ الدكتور سلطان بن محمد القاسمي عضو المجلس الأعلى حاكم الشارقة، أوضح سموه للحضور أصل كلمة “عرب” وأعرب عن حبه الشديد للغة العربية وسعيه الدائم للحفاظ عليها.⠀ ⠀#الشارقة#الإمارات#هيئة_الشارقة_للكتاب… pic.twitter.com/eOUXlxTVph
SIBF 2023, themed ‘We Speak Books,’ offers visitors a unique opportunity to traverse time and space. This year, the international event celebrates South Korea as the Guest of Honour, presenting 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, 1.5 million titles
This year, 1,043 Arab and 990 international publishers will present over 1.5 million titles, including 800,000 in Arabic and 700,000 in other languages at SIBF 2023. The UAE leads the list of Arabic participants with 300 publishers showcasing their latest works, followed by Egypt with 284, Lebanon with 94, and Syria with 62. On the international front, publishers from India, the UK, and Turkey top the list of participations.
Emirati and Arab guests
SIBF 2023 is hosting prominent Emirati writers, thinkers, and poets, including distinguished 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, researcher and author Suad Al-Araimi, author Fathia Al Nimr, author Dr. Aisha Al-Ghais, author Saeed Al Badi, and others.
From the Arab world, SIBF 2023 welcomes Libyan writer and novelist Ibrahim Al-Koni as the ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’, Algerian writer and novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi, Egyptian novelist and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, Dr. Mohamed El Ghandoor, Kuwaiti author Bothayna Al Issa, Tarek Emam the critic and the Egyptian poet, Lebanese poet Talal Haydar, Egyptian poet and author Nour Abdel Megiud, Egyptian media personality Reham Ayad, and writers Sarah and Hagar Abdul Rahman, alongside a number of Arab poets, including the Saudi Fahad Al Shahrani, Qatari Nasser Al Wubeir, and Kuwaiti Sharean Al Deehani.
International guests
This year, SIBF 2023 will host Nigerian author Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate in Literature in 1986; Canadian journalist, author, and public speaker Malcolm Gladwell; Indian actress Kareena Kapoor; Swedish behavioural expert, bestselling author, and active lecturer Thomas Erikson; 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 be home to more than 1,700 activities led by 215 guests from 69 countries. This includes 460 cultural activities led by 127 Arab and international guests, including renowned writers, thinkers, intellectuals, and artists, and Nobel laureates in literature, and recipients of prestigious Arab and international awards. Furthermore, 900 workshops will be held in six interactive spaces led by 31 guests from 12 countries.
S. Korea’s Guest of Honour programme
To celebrate its participation as SIBF 2023 Guest of Honour, South Korea will organise 17 activities as part of its cultural programme titled ‘Imagination Without Borders.’ The exciting agenda includes 15 cultural programmes, 7 panel discussions, and 5 musical performances by a selection of Korean artists. The honorary guest will also host 3 renowned chefs at the Cookery Corner, in addition to children’s entertainment shows and activities.
Social Media Station
Throughout the 12-day book fair, the Social Media Station will host workshops and specialised sessions covering a diverse range of topics, including enhancing partnerships and collaborations with social media influencers and trends, artificial intelligence, as well as the production of AI-enhanced content.
130 shows
A captivating lineup of 130 theatrical performances, directed by artists and performers from 14 countries, will be showcased during the 12-day event.
SIBF 2023 will also premiere the play “Barcode Prison,” the most significant Emirati theatrical 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 humorously addresses the issue of bullying.
The cultural extravaganza will also host a children’s play by the ALJ Sisters Band, starring Aljoud Albaanon, Wadha Alayoub, and Aljourry Albaanon. The play is about three girls experiencing various situations that teach them valuable lessons and social values.
Cookery Corner
The Cookery Corner this year welcomes 12 international chefs, each showcasing their distinct culinary prowess and cultural nuances through 45 dynamic activities. Participating chefs include Kim Kyeongmin and Kim Joohyun from South Korea, Torie True from the UK, Yohanis Gebreyesus from Ethiopia, Suzanne Husseni from Canada, Sally Butcher from the UK, Irina George from Romania, Marianna Leivaditaki from Greece, Chef Suresh Pilla blending UK and Indian flavours, and Krish Ashok from India.
Thriller Festival
The eagerly awaited second edition of the Thriller Festival is slated from November 8-10, in partnership with Thriller Festival NY. This 3-day event will congregate acclaimed thriller and crime genre writers with their aficionados. This year, the festival will spotlight ten international authors, including bestsellers, to engage with mystery and suspense enthusiasts in the region. Featured authors comprise Felix Francis, Ivy Pochoda, J.D. Barker, Danielle Trussoni, Alex Finlay, Max Seeck, Blake Crouch, C.J. Howe, and Kathleen Antrim.
Library Conference
The 10th iteration of the Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA), is scheduled from November 7th to 9th. It will assemble over 400 international librarians and specialists representing diverse libraries in the US and around 30 additional countries.
The Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 is open to the public daily at Expo Sharjah from 1 to 12 November 2023, from Monday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 10 pm, and on Friday from 4 pm to 11 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm.
Its unprecedented success in 2021 and 2022 has resulted in SIBF being recognized as the world’s largest publishing event for two consecutive years….reports Asian Lite News
Sharjah, a cultural hub in the United Arab Emirates, is gearing up to welcome professionals from the global publishing industry as they gather for the 13th annual Publishers Conference.
This event, set to begin on Sunday, October 29, is a prelude to the highly anticipated Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and forms an integral part of SIBF’s professional program.
Delegates from 106 countries, including 12 debutant nations such as Benin, Ivory Coast, the Czech Republic, Mauritius, Paraguay, Burkina Faso, Zaire, Malawi, Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, will descend on the Expo Centre Sharjah for a three-day congregation of literary minds.
The Publishers Conference, with a longstanding tradition of enhancing industry knowledge and promoting global interconnectedness, has played a significant role in shaping the world of publishing.
Its unprecedented success in 2021 and 2022 has resulted in SIBF being recognized as the world’s largest publishing event for two consecutive years.
The 13th annual Publishers Conference will see the participation of 42 speakers and experts who are influential figures in the publishing industry. Among them are Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA); Núria Cabutí Brull, CEO of Penguin Random House Grupo; Ian Chapman, Chief Executive and Publisher of Simon & Schuster UK and International; and Cheolho Yoon, Chairman of the Korean Publishers Association.
The first day of the conference will feature 31 panel discussions and sessions led by these experts, covering a wide array of topics. These discussions will delve into the evolving landscape of digital publishing, the promotion of literary diversity and inclusivity, strategies for building industry resilience, and the embracing of innovation.
Days 2 and 3 of the conference will be bustling with business networking and matchmaking sessions. Publishers will engage in negotiations over various critical topics, including buying and selling rights and translation agreements. These sessions offer a platform for forging new collaborations and business opportunities among industry professionals.
The conference will also be the stage for announcing the winners of the 2nd edition of the Sharjah Rights Connection Awards. This highly anticipated award received 58 entries, including submissions from 42 literary agents and 16 publishers representing 58 countries. These awards aim to honor and celebrate excellence in the domain of international publishing rights.
Additionally, the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) will announce the winners of the 2nd edition of the ABC International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing. This award recognizes and promotes accessible publishing practices, ensuring that literature is inclusive and accessible to all, including individuals with print disabilities.
After the conclusion of the three-day Publishers Conference, the 42nd annual Sharjah International Book Fair will open its doors to the world on November 1. This event promises a remarkable 12-day celebration of books, creativity, arts, and culture, all under the theme “We Speak Books.” With a rich lineup of authors, publishers, and literary enthusiasts from around the world, SIBF is poised to be a must-visit event for all those passionate about literature and culture.
In summary, the 13th annual Publishers Conference in Sharjah is set to unite global publishing professionals for three days of knowledge-sharing, networking, and recognition of excellence in the industry. With its diverse and comprehensive agenda, this event serves as a crucial precursor to the Sharjah International Book Fair, further cementing Sharjah’s status as a global hub for literature and culture.
