Sharjah's year as Unesco World Book Capital launches tonight with 1001 Nights: The Last Chapter and it is going to be a joyous 12 months for book-lovers in the emirate. A number of exciting literary events are taking place each month, including a country-wide book collection for underprivileged children, first-rate exhibitions and a storytelling festival.
We've selected three unmissable events, but don't forget to browse the extensive programme, seek out the strange and the unfamiliar and enjoy a year of broadening your literary horizons – just remember to set aside time to actually read some books.
‘Kan Ya ma Kan’ Book Donation Campaign
When: May 5-25
Where: Al Majaz Amphitheatre
Part of an initiative by the UAE Board on Books for Young People to provide reading material to children in countries riven by war and natural disaster, this campaign calls on people to donate good-quality books to be redistributed to those most in need. Scour your shelves, be honest with yourself about the books you really want to keep, and bring as many as possible to the Al Majaz Amphitheatre.
The Mobile Beach Library
When: June 15
Where: Sharjah beaches
What better way to spend an afternoon than stretched out on the sand with a favourite book? Clear the diary on June 15 and head to any of Sharjah’s beaches, where you will find mobile libraries lending books for free. The libraries will be well-stocked with books of all genres for every age, so rally your family and friends and make a day of it.
Exhibition: Evolution of Arabic Calligraphy
When: July 7-October 15
Where: Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Trace the evolution of Arabic fonts through paintings and written texts. Arabic calligraphy remains one of the most elegant art forms and this show will celebrate the very best practitioners of it through the centuries.
Exhibition: The Silk Road
When: From July 19
Where: Maraya Art Centre – Al Qasba
The Silk Road was a trade route linking the East and the West, allowing for the sharing of ideas and the mixing of cultures. This exhibition, which was a hit at the recent Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, recreates the Silk Road with camels, music and caravans of people. Interactive activities along the route will keep the children entertained, while information about four key cities along the route – Xi’an, Turfan, Samarkand and Baghdad – will get the grey matter working.
Celebrating World Youth Day
When: August 12
Where: Emirates Publishers Association’s Office, Sharjah Publishing City Theatre
The Emirates Publishers Association will invite writers to come and speak to the UAE’s young literati about how to become an author or find a job in the publishing industry.
Sharjah International Storytelling Festival
When: September 26-28
Where: Expo Centre
Launched in 2001, this uplifting festival celebrates the oral storytelling tradition. As with all literary events in Sharjah this year, it should be bigger and better than ever before.
Sharjah International Book Fair
When: October 30-November 9
Where: Expo Centre
Always a major event in the publishing calendar, the Sharjah International Book Fair brings together publishers, authors, artists and filmmakers from around the world. Stock up on books, feast on literary talks and dive into conversations with like-minded souls. Not to be missed.
Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival
When: Jan 5-10
Where: Cultural Palace
Poets from the region will perform and take part in seminars in this annual exchange of ideas, which will be given an extra boost this year due to Sharjah’s status as World Book Capital. Old and new collide, as local poetic traditions are celebrated and the next generation of poets are given a platform to express themselves.
The Used Book Fair
When: February 26-March 1
Where: Al Nakheel park, Khalid Lagoon Corniche
There are few things better than finding a gem of a second-hand book at a pinch of the original price. With books ranging from Dh2 to Dh200, this book fair is the place to fill your arms with paperbacks, which you probably won't read but will at least look good on your bookshelf.
Exhibition: Hans Christian Andersen
When: February 26-April 25
Where: Sharjah Art Museum
The Danish writer responsible for some of the world's best-known fairy-tales, including The Little Match Girl, The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling, is celebrated in this exhibition featuring paintings and original texts.
For more information, visit: www.sharjahwbc.com
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Naga
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Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE