Sharjah International Book Fair is open: five things to know before your visit

Staff at the Expo Centre Sharjah distributing UAE flags to celebrate flag day at the Sharjah International Book Fair. Ruel Pableo / The National

The SIBF includes a vibrant children’s programme with more than 355 scheduled activities. Ruel Pableo / The National

Taking place until November 13, the fair is being held at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme, There is always the right book. Ruel Pableo / The National

The SIBF is free to attend and has no specified Covid-related restrictions apart from the need to wear a mask. Ruel Pableo / The National

A girl celebrating Flag Day with her father at the SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

More than 85 local and international literary figures are scheduled to take part in this year’s SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

UAE flags being distributed to SIIBF visitors in honour of Flag Day. Ruel Pableo / The National

To best navigate and make the most out of the event, we recommend you download the SIBF smartphone app. Ruel Pableo / The National

Children dressing up with their favourite character in one of the children's activities at the SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

The fair is hosting more than 1,600 publishers from around the world. Ruel Pableo / The National

Flag Day being celebrated at the SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

Visitors admiring a Lamborghini book at the Italian pavilion at the SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

To better help visitors navigate through the fair’s offerings, volunteers designated as Book Guides have been stationed around the site. Ruel Pableo / The National

A girl dressed up as her favourite Disney character at the SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

Workshops in photography, art, leaf-printing and robotics catering through different ages are also being held across the 11 day-event. Ruel Pableo / The National

The children's section at the SIBF. Ruel Pableo / The National

The SIBF app will give you immediate access to the fair’s programme, as well as a list of exhibitors. Ruel Pableo / The National

Workshops in photography, art, leaf-printing and robotics catering through different ages are also being held across the 11 day-event. Ruel Pableo / The National

This year's SIBF is one of the first literary events in the region to completely reprise an in-person format. Ruel Pableo / The National

A celebration of Flag Day at the Sharjah International Book Fair. Ruel Pableo / The National

Taking place until November 13, the fair is being held at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme, There is always the right book. Ruel Pableo / The National

The Sharjah International Book Fair began on Wednesday, marking one of the first literary events in the region to completely reprise an in-person format.

Taking place until November 13, the fair is being held at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme "there is always a right book". It is free to attend.

For almost two years, book festivals and fairs have had to take a bulk of their programming online as a way of adapting to pandemic measures and health concerns. This offered a welcome respite during periods of lockdown, and also expanded the reach of regional literary events. But there’s one thing you can’t emulate through virtual talks and gridded Zoom panel discussions: the experience of meeting some of the world’s leading writers in person, to have them sign a copy of their books.

Nobel prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah is among the literary figures participating in this year's Sharjah International Book Fair. AFP

More than 85 local and international literary figures are scheduled to take part in this year’s SIBF, including Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, Jnanpith Award-winner Amitav Ghosh, Algerian author Ahlam Mosteghanemi and The Pursuit of Happyness author Chris Gardner.

All of them are scheduled to appear in person at the event.

So if you’re planning on making your way to the Expo Centre to meet some of the authors, here are five things you need to know before your visit:

1. Download the app

To best navigate and make the most of the event, we recommend you download the SIBF smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android.

The app will give you immediate access to the fair’s programme, as well as a list of exhibitors. A search function also allows you to browse the fair’s book collection, providing detailed information on where you can find a particular title. You can also plan your itinerary and receive notifications about sessions you are interested in.

2. Find a Book Guide

Book Guides stationed around the fair will help visitors find titles that appeal to their tastes. Ruel Pableo / The National

The fair is hosting more than 1,600 publishers from around the world. To better help visitors navigate through the fair’s offerings, volunteers designated as Book Guides have been stationed around the site. With specialised knowledge of the range of titles at the fair, they can help in catering to or creating your reading list.

3. Visit the Spain pavilion

Spain is the guest of honour at this year’s fair. The country’s pavilion is hosting a range of talks and workshops with several Spanish talents, including a workshop led by Javier Gomez Santander and Diego Avalos, writers from the popular Netflix show Money Heist.

On that note, it is also worth visiting the pavilions of countries participating for the first time, including Cameroon, Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

5. Children's workshops

The book fair includes a vibrant children’s programme with more than 355 scheduled activities, from tower-building challenges to a “Crazy Science School”.

Workshops in photography, art, leaf-printing and robotics catering for different ages are also being held across the 11-day event. More information on the workshops and their times is available on the SIBF app.

5. Cookery Corner

The SIBF has always been known for its robust cooking section. After a hiatus because of the pandemic, the section is once again offering live cooking masterclasses by world-renowned chefs and restaurateurs.

Some of the celebrity chefs taking part in the SIBF’s Cookery Corner programme include MasterChef India judge Kunal Kapur, Korean Food made Simple writer and host Judy Joo, founder of Zina’s Kitchen Zina Abboud, and Malaysian celebrity chef and television host Sherson Lian.