UAE: Sharjah Book Fair Sets Record with Over 600 New Releases
With more than 600 new titles unveiled the biggest number in the event's 43-year history this year's Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) saw an unheard-of explosion in book launches, This amazing success underlines SIBF's increasing relevance in the literary scene and supports its status as a major regional venue for writers.
Emphasizing the importance of this historic mark, Mohan Kumar, SIBF's External Affairs Executive, pointed out that just a few years ago the fair had barely 10 to 15 book launches yearly. The significant rise in the number of writers releasing their works demonstrates the fair's growing importance as a center for artistic ability. "The number of authors launching their books has multiplied dramatically over the past few years," Kumar said, stressing the change in the event from a small gathering to a significant literary monument.
Having attended the Sharjah Book Fair for more than 35 years, Kumar credits the Writer's Forum project for much of the expansion of the fair. This project started off with a realization that many foreign book fairs lacked a specific area for first-time, lesser-known, or developing writers to showcase their works. Although big fairs usually include book signings by seasoned writers, Kumar and his colleagues observed that more and more people were eager to introduce their works at SIBF. The planners of the fair decided to create a special area just for book releases in order to meet this demand.
The Writer's Forum's basic goal was to establish a soundproof, comfortable seating area for writers from all around the globe to present their works, According to khaleejtimes news. Embracing this idea, the Sharjah government set aside Dh350,000 to realize it Over 750 writers applied to the Sharjah Book Authority this year, and due to great demand they were able to host more than 600 book releases at the forum. Run across the fair, the 25-minute periods for the launches provided a totally free service for authors ready to apply. Although there were only 500 slots at first, several writers decided to bundle their launches—one event including 10 novels debuted in a single 25-minute time.
Kumar thought back on the variety and originality of the book releases this year, noting several especially poignant events. One of the most unforgettable events was the publication of a book authored by 62 southern Indian state of Kerala women. Many of these authors had daily pay jobs, and some even borrowed money or sold jewels to pay for their travel to Sharjah. Kumar thought this was a sobering reminder of the great influence the fair has had on these women's life since it gives them a necessary forum to tell their story.
The inclusion of young writers in these releases this year was possibly the most encouraging feature. Children and young adults wrote more than a hundred of the novels that debuted, indicating a developing passion in writing among the younger generation.
One especially inspirational event occurred on Saturday when seventeen youngsters, ranging in age from seven to twelve, started a book they had created together for a creative writing class run by Vmentor, an educational consultancy. Kumar sees these young writers as role models, motivating their contemporaries to investigate their own creative ability. Every book release not only showcases individual skill but also inspires others to pick up writing and use literature as means of expression.
With a record number of books introduced and a varied spectrum of writers represented, the Sharjah International Book Fair this year has raised a new benchmark for literary events. From seasoned authors to up-and-coming voices and young talents, the fair has shown to be a vital forum for fostering imagination and a passion of reading and writing. SIBF will surely remain a major participant in the worldwide literary scene as it develops, motivating readers and writers both.