The Sharjah International Book Fair begins on Wednesday, launching a vibrant in-person programme for its 40th year that promises to revitalise the bustle of the event.
Taking place from November 3 to 13, the fair is being held at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme, There is always a right book.
The 11-day event will include workshops, theatre, dance and music performances as well as talks by some of the world’s leading literary figures such as Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, and Jnanpith Award-winner Amitav Ghosh.
Here, we’ve rounded up six of the most exciting talks taking place at this year’s SIBF.
An Interview with Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah
A discussion with Tanzanian-born Gurnah is scheduled for the fair's opening day.
The fair will mark Gurnah’s first appearance at a literary event since being awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature. The Tanzanian author will share his insights into his writing and career, drawing out the trajectory that led him to winning the literary world’s most coveted award. Gurnah will also speak on the status of African literature and its global position. Book signing will take place before the event.
When? 9pm on Wednesday
Rabina Khan: The Presence of Women in Literary Achievement
Bangladeshi-born British novelist Rabina Khan will be featured in one of the discussions in a series examining women's representation in literature. Author of several critically-acclaimed works including Ayesha’s Rainbow and her 2003 debut, Rainbow Hands, Khan will be examining how women writers paint themselves and their genders in their works. She is also expected to speak about her forthcoming novel My Hair is Pink Under This Veil.
When? 7.15pm on Thursday
In Conversation with Jordindian
Viral sketch comedy duo Jordindian will appear at the festival. The pair, comprised of Jordanian-Indian comedian Naser Al Azzeh and Indian comedian Vineeth "Beep" Kumar, will talk about their beginnings, and what it took to establish an online comedy platform with millions of followers.
When? 8pm on Wednesday
Ahlam Mosteghanemi: The Reader as a Writer
Celebrated Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi will outline what it takes to become a writer in this session. Drawing on three decades worth of experience, the Chaos of the Senses author will underscore how being a perceptive reader can hone one’s storytelling and writing abilities.
When? 7.15pm on Wednesday, November 10
Candice Carty-Williams: Strong Diverse Voices in Storytelling
In this discussion, British novelist Candice Carty-Williams will speak about the necessity of representation in literature. This embodies stories from work, family and friends to those exploring someone’s upbringing, cultural and race. Carty-Williams will discuss how literature offers a gateway to different voices and experiences, as well as her debut novel Queenie, which in 2020 made her the first black woman to win the Book of the Year prize at the British Book Awards.
When? 7.15pm on Wednesday, November 10
Amitav Ghosh - With Jnanpith Award Winner
Amitav Ghosh, the 2018 winner of the prestigious Jnanpith Award, will discuss his latest release The Nutmeg’s Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis. The book, a follow up to Ghosh’s The Great Derangement, traces the origins of our contemporary climate crisis to Western colonialism’s violent exploitation of human life and the natural environment. Ghosh will share his concerns about climate change, showing how many of today's environmental problems originated in a centuries-old geopolitical order brought on by colonists.
When? 8.30pm on Friday, November 12
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Company%20profile
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
