Author: Gulf Times

Sharjah,UAE— The traditional Indian dal was given a modern interpretation at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), as British-Indian chef and food consultant Nitisha Patel demonstrated how familiar ingredients could be combined with different culinary influences to create a nutritious vegetarian dish. During her session, “The Indian Dal Kitchen,” at the fair’s Cookery Corner, Patel drew on her Indian heritage to prepare a kale and coconut milk dal, combining the comforting flavours of a traditional lentil dish with ingredients associated with different cooking traditions. The award-winning chef began by boiling red lentils, commonly used in Indian and Middle…

Sharjah, 5 November 2026 — Everyday kitchen ingredients became an artist’s palette at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), as children discovered how familiar materials can be transformed into colours during a hands-on activity. Led by Palestinian workshop facilitator Hamza Al Nassr, the “Organic Colour Making” workshop introduced young participants to the process of creating pigments from everyday natural materials, including turmeric, paprika, beetroot and charcoal. The children mixed the ingredients with water, experimented with the resulting colours and observed how their consistency changed as other materials were added. Water was chosen to keep the process simple and easy…

Sharjah, 5 November 2026 — A new audiobook edition of In Search of Riyad Al Saleh Al Hussein is bringing renewed attention to the influential Syrian poet’s life and work, as Egyptian poet and journalist Khalaf Jaber reflected on why Al Hussein’s legacy deserves to be rediscovered by new audiences. Born in Daraa in 1954, Al Hussein died in 1982 at the age of 28. He published three poetry collections during his lifetime, with a fourth appearing posthumously, and his work went on to leave a significant mark on modern Syrian poetry. Speaking during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), Jaber…

Sharjah, 5 November 2026 — Children at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) got a taste of Japanese food culture as they learnt to prepare fruit sando, a popular Japanese sandwich, during an interactive workshop at the Creative Culinary District. Led by workshop facilitator Amal Sabrawi, the “Japanese Sando” workshop introduced children aged 7 to 10 to the ingredients and techniques used to prepare the sandwich, combining practical cooking skills with an opportunity to explore a different culinary tradition. The workshop began with an introduction to Japanese sando and its ingredients, including sliced bread, fresh strawberries, vanilla and sugar.…

Sharjah,UAE— Artificial intelligence may make writing faster and more efficient, but excessive reliance on it risks eroding the personal experiences and individual voices that give literature its meaning, Sudanese author Ann El Safi told audiences at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026). Speaking during a session titled “Creativity Between Humans and Algorithms… The Future of Writing in the Digital Age,” El Safi examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence on literature, questioning whether technology can support creative expression without diminishing the human experiences that inspire it. The Sudanese journalist and author, whose works include The Bread of Gypsies (2019) and Walking…

Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), honoured the winners of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) Awards during a ceremony held at Expo Centre Sharjah as part of the fair, organised by SBA under the theme “Made of Stories”. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, alongside writers, publishers, and cultural and media figures. Award submissions reach 3,018 SIBF 2026 received 3,018 submissions across its Emirati, Arabic and International Book Award categories, a substantial increase over the previous edition. Submissions across the…

Sharjah — His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), toured the participating pavilions at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) on Wednesday morning. The fair, running from 4 to 15 November at Expo Centre Sharjah, brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries for its 12-day edition. Their Highnesses toured the halls and met with representatives of institutions, government bodies and publishing houses taking part in the event. The tour began at the pavilion of the Sultanate…

The Sharjah International Book Fair has maintained its position as the world’s largest fair for buying and selling copyrights for the sixth consecutive year, reinforcing Sharjah’s role as an international hub connecting publishers and literary agents with opportunities to negotiate book and translation rights, explore co-publishing opportunities and reach new markets and readers. The milestone follows the conclusion of the 16th Sharjah International Publishers Conference on Tuesday, where 7,980 professional meetings for publishing and translation rights were held over two days, compared with 3,321 at the previous edition — an increase of more than 140%. The meetings were scheduled in…

A night dedicated to honoring the “Male Ally for Women’s Progress” and celebrating the women who shape generations DUBAI, UAE – The prestigious Generation Shaper Awards 2026, presented by Ad Zone by Ayesha Mir, is set to take place today, November 1st, 2026, at the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai. Under the powerful theme of “Male Ally for Women’s Progress,” this year’s gala is designed to celebrate the collective rise of generations when men stand beside women. The event serves as a platform to empower, celebrate, and honor the extraordinary women who shape generations, while recognizing the vital role of male allies in fostering progress. A…

International gathering brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and award recipients from over 40 countries at Seven Seas Hotel DUBAI, UAE – Dubai witnessed a remarkable celebration of achievement, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration as the In2Future Awards 2026 took place on 23 October at the prestigious Seven Seas Hotel, Dubai. The event was organised through the collaborative efforts of Manit and Jaspreet, partners based in India, in association with Aisha Mir, who coordinated the local arrangements and facilities in Dubai. This international collaboration brought together distinguished personalities, business leaders, entrepreneurs, influencers, and award recipients from across the globe for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, ambition, and success.…