Author: Gulf Times

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder of Kalimat Group, unveiled her latest literary work, the Mommy series, at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). This heartfelt and insightful collection explores the profound role of breastfeeding in strengthening the emotional connection between mother and child. It also sheds light on its impact on the child’s physical, mental and cognitive development. Illustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi, the Mommy series captures how a mother’s milk, voice and touch foster security and well-being in the infant, helping shape their early identity and perception of the world. The collection celebrates the intimate sensory and…

The ongoing 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is bringing the world to its attendees, offering a wide-ranging programme that includes cultural performances from diverse corners of the globe. Among these, the Tizwit International Youth Band from Morocco captivated audiences with an energising display of traditional rhythms and dance, infusing the fair with the rich cultural essence of the Berber heritage. The fair’s halls and corridors pulsed with the rhythmic beat of five tambourines as Tizwit’s nine-member troupe, composed of five men in white robes and four Moroccan women in vibrant traditional attire, performed the Ahidous n M’Goun dance from…

Bee’ah Group, joined the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) to host an innovative workshop, “Frame Your Memories,” designed to teach children how to transform waste materials into beautiful, functional items. Taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah, where SIBF 2024 commenced on November 6, the workshop highlighted the importance of sustainability, showing young participants the creative potential of recycling. During the workshop, a group of young schoolchildren were provided with cardboard pieces repurposed from packing materials. Equipped with materials such as coloring pencils, sketch pens, shiny adhesive tapes, glitter flowers, and glue, each child decorated their frame in a unique…

The 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) turned into a vibrant learning hub for content creators, as they gathered to explore the art of iPhone photography under the guidance of renowned content creator Muhammad Alchaar. His workshop, “Mastering iPhone Photography: From Basics to Professional Level”, drew enthusiastic participants of all ages, eager to elevate their skills and produce high-quality visuals with just their iPhones. Muhammad Alchaar, a Syrian content creator with over 231,000 followers on Instagram (@chaar.mo) and a decade of experience in the UAE, shared practical insights and professional techniques for shooting stunning images. Throughout the session, Alchaar emphasised…

“Oil pipelines are the Silk Roads of the 20th century if you look at the huge amount of infrastructure in oil”, observed renowned author and historian Peter Frankopan during his talk “The Silk Roads: Weaving history through fiction and non-fiction” at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). Referring to the UAE and the Gulf region, he said the part of the reason for the growth of this part of the world was not just because of fossil fuels, but the infrastructure that came with it. The British author and Professor of History discussed the various events that shaped his…

A masterclass on preparing kombucha, the wonder drink that is believed to improve gut health, was given to a batch of homemakers at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). The festival has been conducting cookery workshops and shows that have attracted men, women and children. Kombucha is a fermented drink originating from China which is believed to improve gut health and is enjoyed for its unique flavour, explained Lebanese entrepreneur Maher El Tabchy, who founded Tabchilli in Dubai to promote his passion for fermented foods. The preparation began with taking the kombucha scoby, an active ingredient in…

At the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, workshops tailored for young attendees focus on edutainment —a blend of education and entertainment. School children aged 7 to 12 eagerly flocked to an arts and crafts session that turned a creative task into an inspiring lesson on one of the world’s smallest yet most important creatures: bees. The workshop began with a short video presentation highlighting the crucial role bees play in sustaining ecosystems. Children learned about the importance of bees to the natural world and their essential contribution to pollination. Some of the more informed students contributed to the conversation,…

Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) is enriching visitors of all age groups coming to the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) with an engaging lineup of more than 18 activities designed to spark curiosity and deepen a love for reading. Themed around three core pillars – Cosmos Organisers, Writers in the Spotlight, and Behind the Scenes – SPL’s programme invites participants into the heart of literary exploration, uncovering the beauty of storytelling and celebrating authors’ contributions. Cosmos Organisers The Cosmos Organisers programme, aimed at readers and the general public, features 12 events. It started on November 6 with ‘Enhancing Creativity with…

Chetan Bhagat, best-selling Indian author who was at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) on Sunday to discuss his latest book 11 Rules for Life, underlined that the originality of the motivational book stems from its “Indianness”. “The big ones available in the market are all Western. There’s a meritocracy in the West but India doesn’t work that way.” Bhagat, who has written 10 novels including Half Girlfriend and 2 States, addressed a packed audience including schoolchildren at SIBF 2024. He said he chose to write about 11 rules for life because “it shouldn’t be too many rules or…

Critically acclaimed Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi was at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) on Sunday, to give her fans a peek into her debut novel Zeba that tells the story of a female superhero in her 30s who is flawed, confused and directionless, and yet capable of doing heroic things. During a candid conversation with Gulf News Entertainment Editor Manjusha Radhakrishnan, she also shared insights on her creative journey, her approach to feminism, and her vision for the future of storytelling. A refreshing take on the superhero trope With Zeba, Huma steps away from traditional superhero narratives…