s p o t l i g h t
I S S U E
A nank e S N A P S H O T S
SharjahInternational BookFair2023
Edi tori al Executive Editor Sabin Muzaffar sabin@anankemag.com Editorial Manager Nuzhat Nisar Ahmed Email: media@anankemag.com SocialsAnanke Twitter: @Anankemag Facebook: @Anankemag Instagram: @Anankemag LinkedIn: Ananke Magazine ISSUU: https://issuu.com/anankemag YouTube: @anankemag4661
Content Credit: SIBF| Layout & Design: Sabin Muzaffar
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Publ i sh ers Conf erence Hi gh l i gh ts Rol e of Gl obal I ndustry on th e Footsteps of Hi story, I ntersecti ng Tradi ti on, I nnov ati on BySabinMuzaffar ThisarticlehaspreviouslybeenpublishedonAnanke'smainwebsite.The SharjahInternational BookFair2023wasprecededbyPublishersConference TheEmirateof Sharjah,UAE,welcomedanincredible assemblyof global publishingindustryexperts,literary agentsandthought leadersduringthethree-dayevent:The PublishersConference.The13theditionof theconference offeredauniquespaceforprofessionalsacrossthe publishinglandscapetonot just examinesomeof themost significant industrychallenges;but alsoholddialogue focusingsolutions,innovationandmost importantly celebratinggenderequalityanddiversity. Oneof thepivotal pointsof discussionat theconference wastheemphasisonfightingfakenews,dis- and mis-informationthat canpivot socio-political realitiesthe worldover.Thewrittenwordhasacritical roletoplay whenit comestoworldpolitics,diplomacy,equality, social justiceaswell ashumanitarianism.Withtheinfluxof unfilteredandevencompromisedcontent acrossthe physical anddigital realms,poweredbyhateandprejudiced algorithms,publicopinionhasundergoneamassive polarization. Inheropeningaddress,HerExcellency,SheikhaBodourAl Qassimi,ChairpersonSharjahBookAuthority,drew attentiontotheurgent needof thepublishingindustryto reclaimthevital roleit hasplayedforcenturiesasit stands ?at thegatesof history.? ?Inourpursuit of progress,it isessential that weremain committedtoourcorebelief inthepowerof thewritten word,andtheroleit playsinbringingustogether, or dividingus.Tocontinuedeliveringonourpromise,the publishingindustryhastoadapt totherapidchangesof our time.Weareat auniqueintersectionof traditionand innovation,andmust navigatethisexcitinglandscapeof constant disruption,?sheobserved. Shefurthersaid:??At atimewhenmisinformation, disinformation,fakenews,cancel culture, andalgorithms dominatepublicdiscourseandcreatefakebubbles,
publishershaveauniqueopportunityandresponsibilityto restorefaithinhumanityandpresent verified, well-researchedcontent toshapeafuturewheretruth triumphsoverfalsehood.Inanagewhereopinionsare formedandsharedat lightningspeed,it iscritical that publisherscontinuetoprovideasolidfoundationof truth uponwhichindividualscanbuildtheirunderstandingof complexissues.Thisisasacredmissionof publishers,upon whichwebuilt ourcredibilitywithourreadersand communities,andwemust protect it at all costs,no matterwhat thetrendsorcircumstancesare.? Theevent heldaseriesof insightful conversationson variousaspectsof publishing,beginningwithGuest of Honourat theSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF)this year,YoonChul Ho,President of theKoreanPublishers Associationwhosharedinvaluableinsightsfromthe Koreanpublishinglandscape. IndiscussionwithPorterAnderson,EditorinChief of PublishingPerspectives,NúriaCabutí Brull,CEOof Penguin RandomHouseGrupoEditorial shedlight onpublishingalso focusingonArtificial Intelligence,remarking:?It isquite obviousthat Artificial Intelligencewill haveasignificant impact onthepublishingmarket.However, it isstill too earlytofullyunderstandthenatureof thisimpact.What is crucial inthiscontext isthat thistechnologywill offer manyopportunitiesonvariousfronts,especiallywith translation,creativity, aswell asediting, andwill playan important roleinempoweringandenhancingthe publishingprocess.That said, humancreativityisstill the most important thing,andwon?tbereplacedby machines.? WhileCabuti?scommentsareencouragingasfarasAI?srole inthepublishingindustryisconcerned,what thesectorstill needstoacknowledgeandperhapsfullyrealizeisthat it (AI)isagamechanger.True,humancreativeendeavours
?may?not bereplacedbymachines, but it isarevolution unlikeanyother(industrial)humanshavewitnessedinthe past. Thepotential andpowerof emergingtechisimmense, earlyadaptorsandadoptersareboundtobenefit.These thought-leaderswill indeedleadthewayinthefutureof work,thefutureof publishingwiththelikesof Metaverse, augmentedandimmersivecontent takingprecedence. Thiswasalsoapoint of discussionat oneof thesessions heldduringtheday.FacilitatedbyPublisHER?sboard memberandfounderYodaPress, ArpitaDas, the conversationrevolvedaroundchallengesfemalepublishers acrosstheglobeface.Oneof thesuggestionsput forward wasupskillingespeciallyinthefieldof techforthefuture of work.Arpitaalsospokeabout theimportanceof mentorshipforwomenandhowbeingmindful of the overall wellbeingof yourteamandotherstakeholdersis beneficial fortheentirecreativeandpublishingprocess. FemalepublishersfromRwanda,France,theUK, Azerbaijan,Egypt andmorealsolamentedabout thelack of fundingandinvestment forwomeninthesector.Arpita alsoemphasizedabout thepowerof collaborationwith participantscitingincredibleexamplesespeciallyfrom SouthAsiaandIndia-Pakistancollaborations. Conversationsalsoexploredtheexpansionof publishing genresandformats,includingtheemergingmarket of graphicnovelsandaudiobooksforchildren.Furthermore, theroundtablesessionsencompassedawidespectrumof subjects,includingtheart of pitchingbothadult and children'sbooksfortranslation,navigatingtheintricaciesof book-to-screenadaptations,thenuancesof contract negotiations,andtheevolvinglandscapeof digital business models. Aspart of theconferenceagenda, akeynotediscussion washeldbetweenIanChapman,CEO&Publisherof Simon &SchusterUK&International;andJoHenry, Managing Directorof BookBrunch,centringontheevolvinglandscape of global publishing, Winnersof thesecondeditionof theSharjahRights
ConnectionAwardwerealsoannouncedduringthe ceremony.GuestswerealsowitnesstoWIPO'sABC AccessibilityinPublishingAward,organisedbythe AccessibleBooksConsortium(ABC),markingitsdebut in theMiddleEast at theSharjahPublishersConference. HEAhmedbinRakkadAl Ameri,CEOof theSharjahBook Authority(SBA), accompaniedbyMansourAl Hassani, Directorof PublishersServicesDepartment presentedthe SharjahRightsConnectionAwardforthetwocategories. ElinaHarutyunyan, Headof Publishingat Antares PublishinginArmenia, waspresentedtheawardinthe individual professionalssellingtranslationrightsin publishinghousescategory.YasminaJraissati, founderand directorof theRayaAgencyinLebanonwaspresented withtheindependent professionalsworkingwithagencies specializedinsellingbookrightstopublishersandlicensors category. WIPO'sABCAccessibilityinPublishingAwardsfeatured threecategorieswiththePublishersAwardgoingtoHegas fromSweden,theAccessibleReadingAwardbeingreceived byChetanaCharitableTrust inIndia, andfinallyaSpecial
CommendationAwardbeingawardedtoUAE?sKalimat Foundation. InaLinkedInpost,HESheihaBodourwrote:?I?mhonoured that theAccessibleBooksConsortiumhasawardeda Special CommendationtotheKalimat Foundation?s'Ara Initiative'.Arasupportsblindandvisuallyimpairedchildrenby facilitatingproductionofaccessibleArabiccontent,tohelp themlearnandintegratebetterintosociety.Itsgoalsreflect themandateof theMarrakeshTreaty,underwhichKalimat Foundationin2022becamethefirstEmiratinon-profit to secureexceptional publishingrights toreproduce,createanddistributeaccessiblebooksfor visuallyandprint impairedchildren.? HESheikhaBodouralsolaunchedPublisHerExcellence Awardsinrecognitionof exceptional femalepublishers. Accordingtoitswebsite:?PublisHerisacall toactionby femalepublishingleaderstoaddresstheirindustry?s entrenchedgenderimbalancesanddriveaninternational agendaforchange.PublisHerisanempoweredcommunity seekingcreative,viablesolutionstothemany gender-basedinequitiesthat havelongcharacterizedworld publishingandtheothercreativeindustries? Speakingat theConferenceaheadof SharjahInternational BookFair, thePublisHerandKalimat Groupfoundersaid:?In myexperience,womenareverygoodat formingsupport groupsandliftingeachotherup? despitethetropesthat sayotherwise.Thinkof thePublisHerExcellenceAwardsas anextensionof that support ? wewant tocelebrate, elevate, andencouragewomenwhocut theirownpaths andlight thewayforwardthroughtheirresilience,
ingenuity, andvision.? ThePublisHerExcellenceAwardshaveathree-foldmission tocelebratewomen?sprofessional achievements, championdiversity,equity, andinclusion,andpromote professional development. Theyfall intothreecategories: LifetimeAchievement Award Foratrailblazingpublishingdoyenne(minimum20-year career)whohasmadeasignificant andlastingimpact on theindustry. EmergingLeaderAward Forarisingpublishingstar(aged35orless)whohas demonstratedexceptional leadership,big-picturethinking, andthepowertodrivepositivechange. InnovationAward Foranywomanresponsibleforaninnovativecontribution tothepublishingindustry,suchasstorytellingandcontent curation,editorial leadership, management strategies, companyculture,andmarketingcampaignsetc. Anyonecansubmit singleormultiplenominationsinany categoryviathePublisHersocial media channelsX,LinkedIn,InstagramandFacebookpages. Nominationswill beopenuntil 15January2024, after whichaPublisHerExcellenceAwardsjurywill drawupa shortlist beforeselectingthewinners.
Bodour A l Qasi mi presi des ov er f i rst Sh arj ah Book A uth ori ty Board of Di rectors M eeti ng
SBA?snewlyformedboardof directorsholdfirst meetingto devisetransformativestrategiesthat will guidetheorganisation?s futurecontributionstotheUAEandtheworld
TheSharjahBookAuthority(SBA)?snewlyformedboard of directorshadtheirfirst meetingontheside-linesof the ongoing42ndeditionof theSharjahInternational Book Fair(SIBF2023),todiscussafutureroadmapformaking theauthority?sinitiativesandpartnershipsmoreimpactful inadvancingthedevelopment of thepublishing ecosystemintheUAEandbeyond. Welcomingtheboardmembers, SheikhaBodourbint SultanAl Qasimi,Chairpersonof theSBA,expressedher gratitudetowardstheexemplaryvisionof HisHighness SheikhDr.SultanbinMohammedAl Qasimi, Memberof theSupremeCouncil andRulerof Sharjah,that ledtothe creationof theSBAto?enhanceinvestment increative industries, toprovideaplatformforknowledgeand intellectual exchangebetweendifferent nationsand cultures, andfacilitatethecreationof aknowledge-based society?. SharjahBookAuthorityreadytomakeagreaterpositive impact, regionallyandglobally. ?Today, wefeel that SBAisreadytogotothenext level;a level whereit canhaveagreaterpositiveimpact and contributemoretothedevelopment of thebookindustry inSharjah,theregion,andglobally?,theSBAChairperson furthernoted. SheikhaBodourAl Qasimiinvitedtheboardmembersto leveragetheirexpertise, networkswhileofferingguidance tonavigatethisnewtransformationandenablingSBAto becomeoneof theleadingglobal organisationsinthe bookindustry. International Boardmembersattendingthemeeting includedJohnIngram,Chairmanof IngramContent Group, Youngsuk?YS?Chi,Chairmanof Elsevier, MarkusDohle, ExecutiveVicePresident of thePENAmericaBoardof Trustees, andGauravShrinagesh,CEOIndiaandSouthEast AsiaandMemberGlobal ExecutiveCommittee,Penguin RandomHouse. Thelocal memberspresent wereHEAhmedbinRakkadAl Ameri,CEOof SBA,SheikhMajidAl Mualla, Emirates AirlinesDivisional SeniorVice-President (DSVP)for International Affairs; HEAbdulazizTaryam,CEO,Advisor andGeneral Managerof (Etisalat e&)NorthernEmirates; HEAbdullaAl Owais,Chairof theDepartment of Culture; andHEAbdulazizAl Musallam,Chairmanof theSharjah InstituteforHeritage; RashidAl Kous,ExecutiveDirectorof theEmiratesPublishersAssociation(EPA);MarwaAl Aqroubi, ExecutiveDirectorof theHouseof Wisdomand President of theUAEBoardonBooksforYoungPeople (UAEBBY). Thecreationof knowledge-basedsocietyenhancesthe cultural andeconomiclandscapeof theUAE,andbeyond.
Givingadetailedpresentationtotheassembledboard, HE AhmedbinRakkadAl Ameri,SBACEO,provided comprehensiveinsight intoSBA?snine-yearjourney, highlightinghowSBA?sworkhasstrengthenedSharjah?s cultural contributiontotheUAEandtheworld. Further, inresponsetothevisionof HHSheikhDr.Sultan binMohammedAl Qasimi,heshareddetailsof SBA?s inspiringstrategicinitiatives, conferences, events, projects, andawardsthat havecreatedandsupportedaloveforthe cultureof readingintheUAE,andcontributedtoSharjah?s missiontobecomeaknowledge-basedsociety,while empoweringinternational exchangethroughthepowerof thewrittenword. Al Ameri alsodemonstratedtheincreasingeconomic impact of theprojectsSBAhasimplemented,statingthat from2019-2022, asSBAandtheSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF)hasgrowninstature, contributionstothe local economyandnational GDPhavealsoincreasedas indicatedbythegrowthindirect spendingonprinting, publishing, writingactivitiesaswell asindirect spending onhotel stays,restaurants,transportationandadvertising. Themeetingconcludedwithastrategyworkshopanda roadmapdiscussion,followedbyatourof theSBAfacility. AkeyplayerintheUAE?scultural sceneandbeyond, SharjahBookAuthority(SBA)designsandexecutesa majorshareof Sharjah?sinfluential andgloballyadmired book-publishingprogramme.Theauthorityhasnine entitiesunderitsumbrellamanagingabout 15cultural projects, fromspecialisedconferencestobookfairs,a readingfestival todifferent Awardsaimedat encouraging andsupportingwriters,publishers,illustratorsandmore. SBA?sinitiativessuchastheSharjahPublishersConference, theBooksellersConference, theSharjahRights ConnectionsAward,theSharjahPublishingCityFreeZone (SPCFreeZone),LightningSourceSharjah,SharjahLiterary Agency, andmanyothersareaddingvaluetothe publishingecosystembycreatingacultural andbusiness bridgebetweenSharjahandall majorpublishinghubs aroundtheworld.
Heart to Heart Conv ersati on Wi th Bol l yw ood A ctor K areena K apoor "Istayconfident becauseof myfans"
Indianactor-turned-author,andmomof two,Kareena KapoorKhanopenedupabout pregnancy,filmsandmore tothousandfansof cinemaandreadingat theSharjah International BookFair(SIBF2023). ?Beingpregnant doesn't giveyouaticket toeat anything?, theactorwhose2021bookKareenaKapoorKhan?s PregnancyBible:TheUltimateManual forMoms-to-behas beenwidelyreadworldwide,assertedtoherSIBF2023 audience.?IlovepizzasandChinesefoodbut Itriedto balanceit asIdidn't want toeat anythingwrongduring mypregnancy,?sheadded. Inaheart-to-heart conversationwithUAE-based presenterRaniaAli,shesaidthat sheapproachedherbook inawaysoit couldserveasahelpful reference, particularlyforfirst-timers- bothexpectant andnew mothers. ?Ienjoyedmyfirst pregnancysomuch.Iworkeduntil I gavebirth.Ifelt it wouldbeexcitingtobeopenabout it;I havealwaysbeenopenwithmyfans.AsIwasgoing throughmysecondpregnancy,Ifelt if Ihadtowritea book,sharingmyexperience.It wouldbetheperfect topic.? Theseven-timeFilmfareAwardwinningactress,whohas beenactiveinthefieldfortwodecades,candidly admittedthat shealwaysknewshehadtoget backto workonedaytobetrulyhappyandagoodmothertoher children.?Ihavelearnt toembracemyself withlove.Istay confident becauseof myfansandall thelovemyfans giveme.All actorsarelikeplantsandneednurturingto grow?. KareenaKapoor,who
comesfromafamilythat hasbeenpassionateabout actingandfilmmakingforfourgenerations,saidshehas nodreamrole,andthat her?onlydreamistokeepacting?. ShelaudedthepositivechangeintheIndianfilmindustry whichnowseesgoodscriptsandfemale-orientedmovies that havehelpedactressesmakebravechoices. TheactorwhomadeherOTTdebut throughthe2023 NetflixfilmJaaneJaan, saidshehad?decidedtotakethe plungebecauseNetflixhasareachinalmost 250countries andstorieshavenolanguageboundariesthanksto subtitles?.?Iwasreinventingmyself withthis, andIwas luckytoworkwithsuchwonderful co-stars.?Sheenjoyed OTTplatformsbecausedirectorshadmoreleewaywith content andstorytellingtechnique. Beingpart of afamousBollywoodfamilyfromPunjab statehasmeant shesharestheirloveforfoodandfilms. Shehoweverdoesnot cookbut herhusbandSaif Ali Khan cooksamazinglywell,shedisclosed. Whiletacklingquestionsfromtheaudience,shesaidlike everyVirgoshewasaperfectionist particularlyabout punctualityandcleanliness.TheHindi filmactorhopesto visit theUAEmore. Oneof Bollywood'shighest-paidactresses,KapoorKhan hasworkedwithUNICEFsince2014toadvocateforthe educationof girlsandanincreaseinquality-based educationinIndia.
Sul tan A l Qasi mi al l ocates A ED 4.5 mi l l i on to enri ch Sh arj ah l i brari es The grant supports2033 publishersexhibitingat the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair
Bodour Al Qasimi: The grant supportsthe publishingindustry and enrichesSharjah librarieswith new and diverse content
K al i mat Foundati on recei v es ?Speci al Commendati on A w ard?f rom A ccessi bl e Book s Consorti um f or i ts ?A ra?i ni ti ati v e
?Thefoundationshinesat SIBF2023throughaseriesof activitiestoempowerblindandvisuallyimpairedchildren. ?Participationincludedbrailleactivity'Lettersof Vision', inclusivestorytellingsessions,aswell asamerchandise movingcart.
Letters of l ov e, h ope and peace f rom SI BF 2023 f or ch i l dren w i th v i sual i mpai rment PalestinianRaneemAhmedistypingout lettersinbrailleon behalf of visitorstothe12-dayfestival aspart of Kalimat Foundation?sArainitiative
AblindPalestinianwomanishelpingvisitorstothe 42ndSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF)sendout letters of love,hopeandpeacetochildrenwhocan?tsee. 22-year-oldRaneemAhmed, whowasbornwithout eyes, ishelpingtypeout personalisedmessagesinbraillefor blindchildrenaroundtheworldaspart of the Sharjah-basedglobal non-profit Kalimat Foundation?sAra (Isee)initiativethat supportsblindandvisuallyimpaired childrenbyfacilitatingtheproductionof Arabiccontent in brailleandotheraccessibleformats. ?I'mheretotell peoplethat theblindcanalsoreadand write.Iwant toshoweverybodyhowweusethebraille onatypewritertoexpressourselvesandevenwriteor read,?saysRaneemwhoteachesblindchildrenof different agegroupshowtousethetactilewritingsystem forthevisuallyimpairedcreatedbyFrenchmanLouis Braillein1824. ?LetterstypedbyRaneemonbehalf of guestsattending the12-dayfestival will eventuallybeincludedinbooks that will bedistributedtoblind childrenthisyearaspart of Kalimat?s?Ara?initiativethat distributesaccessiblebooksfor blindandvisuallyimpairedchildren. ?Thisisourwayof telling[blind children] not togiveupandthat thereishopethat theymust see,? addsRaneem,explaininghowher letters--writtenonbehalf of this year?sSIBFattendees? youngand
oldalike? will goontoplayahugeroleinintegratingthe visionlesschildrenbackintomainstreambyproviding thembookstoread. Andwhat?sthebest messageshehastypedout sofarat the12-dayfestival beingheldat theSharjahExpoCentre until November12??Don?tabandonyourdreams,?says thepsychologymajorfromAjmanUniversity.?Thisstruck achordwithmebecauseif youdon?tgiveup,youwill get towhereyouwant tobe.If youcannot seewhat you have,thendreamonandyouwill achieveit,?sheadds. Kalimat Foundation?s?Ara?initiativehasbeenempowering blindandvisually-impairedchildrenbyensuringtheirright toaccessresourcesof knowledge.Itsobjectivesreflect the mandateset out inthe2013MarrakeshTreaty,onthe availabilityof booksinaccessibleformats,fortheblind, thevisuallyimpaired, andthosewhohaveprint disabilities.Todate, Arahasfacilitatedtheproductionand distributionof morethan30,000accessiblebooks,locally, regionallyandinternationally.
The accessible booksshelf in Kalimat Foundation pavilion in SIBF2023
A I -generated v erses w i l l l ack th e h uman touch , concur new -age poets
PoetsShelby Leigh and HoshangOsi acknowledged the power of social media in reachingreaders
Artificial intelligenceandChatGPTcannot replace humancreativityandemotions, underscoredpopular new-agepoetsShelbyLeighfromUSAandHoshang Osi fromSyriaat adiscussionon?Versesinthe Digital Age?at the42ndSharjahInternational Book Fair(SIBF)themed?WeSpeakBooks?. ModeratedbyEmirati TVpresenterAlyaAl Mansoori, thesessiondiscussednewtrendsinpoetryonsocial mediaplatformsandexploredwhypeopleare increasinglydrawntoreadingandconnectingwith poetsonline. HoshangOsi,aSyrian-Kurdishpoet andnovelist who Hosh ang Osi , poet and nov el i st writesinhisnativeKurdishlanguageaswell as Arabic,opinedthat ?AIislikebeautylaboratoriesin cosmeticsandcreatesarealitythat isartificial.It couldbecomesophisticatedinthefuture?but hedid not want topredict thenatureof somethingin 2050. TheKurdishwriter, whosenovelTheBlowof CertaintywontheKatariaPrizeforArabicfictionin 2017,comparedpoetrytoariverthat flowsfreely onsocial media.?It isanopenspacethat evolves dependingonthesituationorplacethepoet isin. Unlikeproseanddrama, it isdifficult todefine poetryasit isaneternal creationof itsown existence.? Emi rati TV presenter A l ya A l M ansoori Regardingthelanguageinhisworks, Osi statedthat hisliteraturereflectedlinguisticqualitiesof the particularlanguagehewrotein.?WhenIwritein Arabic,thefeelingsdifferfromwhat Iwouldwrite inKurdish.Theaimof mytext istoreachthereader inaneasyandauthenticway.? ShelbyLeigh,poet andmental healthadvocatewho hasbeenwritingontheInternet foroverseven years,saidshehadstartedbywritingabout mental healthissueslikeanxietyfromherownexperiences andemotions.Initially,shewroteanonymouslyas shewasdoubtful about herwork. Leigh,whohostsavirtual poeticcommunityand helpspeoplewhowant toget theirworkspublished, Sh el b y Lei gh , poet and mental said:?AIcannot feel forme.It isonlyasupportivetool and h eal th adv ocate cannot replacemycreativityandcontent.?Shesaidshehadno expectationsfromherfollowersonsocial mediabut shewas happytobeconnectedwithsomanypeople. Bothpoetsreadafewstanzasfromtheirpoemsmuchtothe delight of poetryloversgatheredforthesession.
Eye-openi ng conseq uences of our cl oth i ng ch oi ces i n th e era of f ast f ash i on At a Sharjah International Book Fair discussion, Noorin Khamisani urges audience to swap and share clothesand stop beingdependent on polyester and syntheticfabrics VisitorstotheongoingSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF)hadtheopportunitytoengagewithdesignerand environmental advocateNoorinKhamisani assheaddressedtheprofoundimpact of thefast fashionindustryonthe environment anditsethical implications. Inaone-on-oneconversationwithradiopresenterLouisDenham,Khamisani providedaneye-openingjourneyintothe often-overlookedconsequencesof ourclothingchoices. ?Ithinkoneof themost difficult thingsisthat alot of fast fashion, nomatterwhat kindof garment it is, ismadefrom polyester,whichisbasicallyplastic.Andthenif that endsupbeingthrownintoalandfill,well,asfarasweknow, it's nevergoingtobiodegrade,?warnedKhamisani whocurrentlyworksastheProgrammeLeaderinPostgraduateFashionat IstitutoMarangoni London. ?Ithinkoneof ourbiggest challengesistomoveawayfrombeingsodependent onpolyesterandsyntheticfabricsin general?,sheadded.
Whenaskedhowshewoulddifferentiateaneedfromawant whenit comestofashion,Noorinnoted:?Ithinkyouhavetobe honest withyourself.Most of ushaveabout 70percent of our wardrobesjust hangingthere,withclothesthat neverget worn. Soit'sall about goingintoyourwardrobeandlookingthrough andsometimesrediscoveringthings?. ?Andthat'swherewecomebacktothinkingof fashionasa verb,assomethingthat wedo.Sohowdowefashionourselves? Howdoweinteract withfashionratherthanfashionalways beingabout consumption,?sheadded,urgingtheaudienceto ?shareandswap?clotheswithfriends. ?If theyjust don't workforusanymore,chancesareyoumight haveafriendwhomight reallylovethat piece,andtheymight get that lovelyemotional bondof knowingthat it belongedto youandthat it'sbeingpassedontothem.AndIthinkthisis wherefashionbecomessomuchmoremeaningful?. Talkingabout the?wholenewrealm?forfashiondesignersto create?digital garments?forpeoplethat ?just want tohavea newoutfit onInstagram?,shesaid:?Thisiscomplicated.It'snot likeacompletereplacement,but it doeshelptoget usthinking differently.Likeif all youwant isto wearit onInstagram,whydoyouneed tophysicallyownthat?,?sheasked. Khamisani wasamongthefirst wave of thepioneeringethical fashion movement inEuropeinthemid-2000s, settinguptheindependent fashion brandOutsiderinLondonin2009.She continuestoexhibit andsell herwork internationallyaswell aslecturingin fashiondesignafterbeingpart of the foundingfacultyat theDubai Institute of DesignandInnovation(DIDI)in2019.
Ex pl ori ng th e Si gni f i cance of Preserv i ng th e Earth Environmentalistsacknowledgethepowerof social mediaincreating environment vigilance
IntheleaduptoCOP28takingplacelaterthismonthintheUAE,environmentalistshavediscussedtheneedfor changingmindsetsabout reducingcarbonfootprintsat the42ndSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF2023).Panellists FatimaRashidAl Hantoubi,FarahNaz,andMuraleeThummarukudyexploredthecaptivatingrelationshipbetween nature,climatechange,andthecritical importanceof preservingournatural world. Thediscussion,moderatedbyNadiaSwan, hadthenatureadvocatesweighingtheprobabilityof achievingnet zero emissions.FatimaAl Hantoubi,headof theEnvironment andNatural ReservesDepartment at theFujairahEnvironment Authorityandalecturerinenvironmental sciencesat theUniversityof FujairahandAjmanUniversity,replied:?Weare makingpoliciestoencourageindustriestoadopt nature-basedsolutionstoprotect theenvironment andthusavoidtoo muchemissions.Despitebeinganindustrial countrywithalot of oil companies,ourgovernment hasmadeapriorityto reduceCO2emissions,?theaward-winningengineerandauthorof bookssuchasSustainableDevelopment Goalsstated. Sheaddedthat net zeroonlymeansnearzeroandnot actual zero. FarahNaz,anaward-winningclimatechangestrategist andauthorofNet ZeroCity,said?weall must becomequite responsibleinourconsumerism?.Farah, whohassupportedseveral iconicprojectsintheUAEincludingtheMuseumof theFuture,LouvreAbuDhabi,BEEAHGroupHQinSharjahandtheExpo2020TERRASustainabilityPaviliontoachieve theirsustainabilitygoals,added:?Mindset shift isveryimportant.Climatefundingandclimatetechnologyneedstobe alignedtocreatethebusinessmodel fortheshift.? ShedescribedhereffortsinbuildingUAElandmarksinasustainablewayandhowmindset changeshelpedinabigway. ?Thereshouldbealittlebit of risk,if youarealwaysriskaverseyouwouldn't beinthisscenario.Avisionisalso important.?addedFarahwhohas20years?experienceinthebuilt environment intheUS,UK,Southeast Asiaandmost recentlytheUAE.ShesaidshewrotethebookduringCovidat atimewhenshewasworkingwithalot of clients includingNeominSaudi Arabia.?Ialwaysstart withavisioningworkshopsothat Iknowthetemperatureof their understandingof sustainability.? Dr.MuraleeThummarukudy,aninternationallyrenownedexpert indisasterresponseandformerchief of theDisasters andConflictsProgrammeat theUnitedNationsEnvironment Programme, said?naturecanbeusedasabufferagainst disastersandthereisnowaconsciousapproachtofindgreensolutionsfordisastersasagainst greysolutionswhich wereusedearlier?.HecitedcasesinIndonesia,JapanandSri Lankawheremangroves,treesandsanddunesrespectively savedvillagesduringthe2004tsunami. Thesocial mediainfluenceralsoopinedthat themindset hastochangeabout consumption.?Themoreconsciouslyyou consume,thelessdamagetotheenvironment.Populationisnolongerthecauseasit hasstabilisedinmost partsof the world.Ialwaysurgepeopletolookat thenatureof theiractionsindividuallyaswell asinstitutionallyandseehow theycaninfluencenatureprotection,?Thummarukudysuggested. Theglobal management expert notedhowthepresent generationisdisconnectedfromnature,andhowtherecanbe ?naturelaboratories?inschools.?Everyschool couldmaketheirentirecampusalearninginstrument - tolearnabout changeinweather,nature, restorationandsoon.YoucouldhaveyourownMiyawaki forest inasmall plot of land,and thegamewill changeif 10millionsuchschoolsjoinintheeffort.? Regardingthepowerof social mediainpromotingsustainabledevelopment goals,Al Hantoubi saidshewasactiveon social mediatopromoteenvironmental vigilance.?Ibelievedisseminatingenvironmental awarenessisthebest way.? Thummarukudyagreedthat it wasapowerful tool but therewasalsoatremendousamount of misinformation especiallyonclimatechange; henceit wasimportant tostaythereandfight.Heacknowledgedthat bysegmenting social media,thedesiredaudiencecanbereachedmuchquickerthanthroughtraditional media.
A meri can astronaut Suni ta Wi l l i ams?s i nspi rati onal space j ourney capti v ates sch ool ch i l dren The astronaut praised the UAE?sspace programme and itseffortsin organisingCOP28
?Whateveryouwant todoinlife,first get tothestarting line,rememberwhat youlearnt inkindergarten,andstop totakealookat thefoliage,?saidcelebratedIndian-origin astronaut SunitaWilliamstotheUAE?sschoolchildren about thelessonsshelearnt fromherjourneytospaceat the42ndSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF). ?Ididn't realisethat beingadiverandhelicopterpilot wouldput meinlineforgoingtospace?,theinspirational Americanastronaut toldthepackedroom. Anathleteandswimmerfromayoungage,theastronaut confessedthat althoughshedidnot knowwhat todo afterhighschool,shejoinedtheNaval Academyonher brother?sadvicewhereshelearnt tobeadiverandpilot. Thestudentswatchedaquickvideoof thetrainingtogo tospace,afterwhichtheyheardfromWilliamsabout her pioneeringexperienceof runningtheBostonmarathonin space. Shespokeof theplannedmissiontothemoonand buildingaspacestationonthemoon.Williams, whohas beenworkingontheStarlinerspacecraft forthepast eight years,revealedthemissionisexpectedtotakeoff next year.Theastronaut patientlyansweredthebrilliant questionsthat schoolchildrenfromvariousschools? manyof whomexpressedadesiretopursueacareerin space? directedat her. ShecommendedtheUAE?s?robust spaceprogramme?and howshehadanopportunitytoworkwiththetwoEmirati astronautswhohavealreadycompletedtheirspace missionsaswell asthetwoastronautswhoarepreparing fortheirjourney. ?Recently,(Hazza??Al Mansouri,thefirst Emirati astronaut inspace)andIdidsomepreparationstudieson howtotransfercargoonthemoon,andalsodidsome underwaterdivinginCaliforniatoimitatewhat weare goingtodoonthemoon.Ihavehadsomegreat interactionswithall fourof themandlookforwardto NoraAl Matroushi andMohammedAl Mullaflying.? TheIndian-Americansaidshewasbothscientificallyand religiouslydriven:.?WhenIsawtheplanet Earthfromthe windowof thespacestation, Ifelt thehandof Godtelling methat ourplanet isanamazingplaceandthat Icould feel myperspectivechange.? ShepraisedtheUAE?seffortsinorganisingCOP28and throwinglight onclimatechangeandtheearth?sfragility. ?OurspaceshipEarthistheonlyspaceshipwehave, and weshouldmakesurewearetreatingeachotherwell on thisplanet,?sheremindedtheaudience. Williams,whodisclosedthat thebookshefoundtruly inspirational wasTheMartian, hadspecial adviceforgirls: ?Don?tbeafraidtodoanything,just get out anddoit.?
K al i mat Foundati on sh ares ex perti se i n prov i di ng l earni ng resources f or ref ugees duri ng ?Tanw een M ega Ch al l enge? i n Saudi A rabi a Kalimat Foundation(KF)recentlyparticipatedastheKnowledgeExpert inthe?TanweenMegaChallenge:Design SolutionsforRefugees?organisedbytheKingAbdulazizGlobal Cultural Center?Ithra?inSaudi Arabiafrom November1-4,aimingtoguideanddirect innovatorsandcreatorsparticipatinginthechallengetooffersolutions andideastoimprovethequalityof lifeforrefugeesworldwidebyprovidingsustainableknowledgeand educationresources. TanweenMegaChallenge TheTanweenchallengesserveastheflagshipinitiativeof ?Ithra?,thelargest creativityplatforminSaudi Arabia. Theyofferanideal opportunityforemergingcreativesandexperiencedprofessionalstocollaboratewithtop expertsintranslatingtheirconceptsintoexecutableprogrammesandinitiatives.Part of theTanweenChallenges, theTanweenMegaChallengecomprisesthreekeytracks, namely,education, foodsecurity,andenergy. ReemJassem,Managerof Special Initiativesat Kalimat Foundation, incollaborationwithAliaAl Rawashdeh, educationinemergencyexpert inJordan,supervisedtheparticipantsintheeducationtrack,guidingthemto developandpresent effectiveandexecutablesolutionsthat catertotheneedsof refugeecommunitiesand displacedindividualsinaccessingknowledgeresources,andachievingsustainablelearningopportunitiesfor childrenandtheyouth.Thisincludedpromotingliteracyefforts, social integration,andpreservingArabvalues andculture. Duringtheevent,ReemoutlinedKF's?PledgeaLibrary?initiative,whichdeliverseducational resourcesinArabic languageforrefugeechildrenworldwide.Sinceitslaunch,theinitiativehasprovided15,700Arabicbooks, benefittingover100,000childrenacross22host countries. Inspiringmodelsinovercomingchallenges CommentingontheFoundation'sparticipationinthechallenge,ReemJassemsaid, ?Kalimat Foundationassists refugeecommunitiesinimprovingtheirqualityof lifeandcontributingtothedevelopment of communitiesby
providingknowledgeandlearningresourcesforchildrenandtheyouththroughcollaborationswithleading international institutions.Ourparticipationasknowledgeexpertsinthischallengeisaimedat sharingoursuccessful experiencein?PledgeaLibrary?initiativeandenhancingourregional andglobal partnershipstopassonourknow-how andsupport programmesthat benefit refugees,andchildreninparticular.? Theannual ?TanweenChallenges?invitesparticipantstoaddressimportant issuesinvariousfields,witheachchallenge including20participantsshowcasingtheircreativeskills.Participantsreceivesufficient support andnecessaryresources tofacethechallengehead-on, throughsupport fromchallengepartnersandaccesstoacomprehensiveprogramof workshopsandlectures, enablingthemtosuccessfullyimplement theirinnovativesolutions.
Sh arj ah Li terary A gency h i gh l i gh ts th e need f or l i terary agents to adapt & i nnov ate i n th e di gi tal age
SharjahLiteraryAgency(SLA),thefirst-of-its-kindinthe Arabregiondedicatedtothepromotionof Arabic literature,brought togethersomeof theworld?sleading literaryagentsat theongoing42ndSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF)foradialoguetoenlightenandinform publishingandcreativeindustrystakeholdersintheMiddle East.DuringSLA?sparticipation,theyinformedandinspired attendeesonwaystheycancreatequalitycontent while protectingtheirrightsaswell astheirintellectual property andcreativeassetsinatech-drivenworld. Theevolvingroleof literaryagentsinthedigital era Duringapanel discussiononThursday,SLADirector, Tamer Saidofferedacomprehensiveoverviewof the ever-evolvingroleof literaryagentsinthedigital age.He wasjoinedbyLondon-basedliteraryagent SophieHicks, whorepresentsNewYorkTimesandSunday Timesbestsellersonbothadult andchildren'slists,andisa memberof TheBookSocietyandWomeninPublishing; andYasminaJreissati,founderanddirectorof Raya AgencyfromLebanonwhoprovidedvaluableinsightsinto thechanginglandscapeof thepublishingworldandthe opportunitiespresentedbythedigital era. Commentingontheroleof literaryagentswithinthe market,theSLADirectorstated,?Embracingthedigital age isanecessityforliteraryagentsandourroleas intermediariesintheliteraryworldisalsoevolving.We must adapt,innovate,andcontinuetochampionthe powerof storytelling.Alargeaspect regardingthefuture of publishingisdigital,althoughtherewill alwaysbea market fortraditional books,andwe, asliteraryagents, arethebridgebetweenauthorsandreadersinthis ever-changinglandscape.? FosteringconnectionswithArabwriters SLAalsoextendedawarmwelcometolocal andArab writersbyhostingareceptionduringthebookfair, offeringaplatformfortheliterarycommunitytobecome
acquaintedwithSLAanditswiderangeof services, facilitateknowledgeexchangeandbringdiversevoices together. ByacquaintingwriterswithSLAanditsarrayof services, theagencynot onlysupportsandempowerswritersbut alsofostersasenseof communitywithintheArabliterary sphere.Theseconnectionsserveasbridges, allowing storiesandperspectivestoreachabroader,international audience,promotingadialoguethat goesbeyondwords onapage. SharjahPublishersConference:SLAfacilitatesimportant roundtablesession Inthelead-uptoSIBF,TamerSaidledaroundtable discussionat theSharjahPublishersConference.This exchange,whichprimarilyfocusedon Business-to-Businessinteractionswithglobal publishers andrightsholders,exploredtheprospectsof collaborationsanddealswithinthepublishingindustry. Titled?BuyingfromtheArabWorld,?theroundtablewas aplatformforin-depthdiscussionsabout thevast potential intheArabliterarymarket andprovedtobe instrumental increatingunderstandingabout theregionas well asmediatingdealsbetweenattendees. WhileSLA'simmediateemphasiscentresongenressuch asfiction, children'sliterature, andgraphicnovels,the agencyisdeeplydedicatedtothediversityof Arabic literature.SLAactivelyseeksandrepresentstalented authorsfromacrosstheworld,creatingaplatformfor cross-cultural literaryexchange,andduringSIBFthey enhancedtheirpresenceinthemarket.
Nigerian Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka
Sudanese poet, Alim Abbas
Nobel l aureate di scuss th e emergence of A f rof uturi sm i n gl obal di scourse NigerianNobel laureate, WoleSoyinka, andSudanesepoet, Alim Abbas,discusshowAfricanwritersarefusingthepast,present,and futureinexhilaratingways.
Aspart of thecultural programmecuratedbythe42ndeditionof theSharjah International BookFair,thespotlight wascast upontheesteemedNigerian Nobel laureate,WoleSoyinka.Inanengagingdiscussion,WoleSoyinkaand thedistinguishedSudanesepoet,AlimAbbas,captivatedtheaudiencewith theirenlighteningdiscussiontitled?ExploringAfrofuturism:Reimagining BlackIdentityandCultureinContemporaryLiterature.? Inaroomfilledwithliteraryenthusiasts,thetwoauthorsexploredhow Africashouldbeportrayedintherapidlygrowingworldof literature.The sessionbeganwiththemoderatorsettingthestage,emphasisingthe emergingmovement withincontemporaryAfricanliterature,which envisionsafuturethat isfirmlygroundedinareimaginedandredefined senseof identityandculture. Celebratingresilienceandcultural dynamism Thismovement, knownasAfrofuturism,is, inthewordsof WoleSoyinka, ?encapsulatingavisionaryblendof sciencefiction,historical fiction, and magical realism,servingasaconduit fortheexplorationandreimaginingof theblackexperience.?Byweavingelementsof technology,ancient traditions,andadeep-seatedcultural pride, Afrofuturist writerscarveout a uniquespacewherethepast, present,andfutureconvergeinexhilarating ways. Throughtheirliteraryprowess, newauthorsarecraftingtalesthat challenge conventional notionsof timeandspacewhilehonouringtherichnessof Africanheritage.Theseacademicpioneersinfusetheirworkswithavibrant tapestryof mythologies, folklore,andcutting-edgetechnological innovations,constructinganarrativelandscapethat celebratesresilienceand cultural dynamism. Expandingonthisconcept Soyinkasaid,?Withintherealmof Afrofuturism, theexplorationof identitytakesthehelm,delvingintothecomplexitiesof what it meanstobeblackinarapidlyevolvingworld.Throughtheir protagonists, thesewritersnavigatethemesof displacement,cultural erasure,andthequest forself-discovery,offeringalensthroughwhich readerscanreflect onthemultifacetednatureof theAfricanexperience.? Storytelling:Avehiclefortransformationandempowerment AlimAbbas,ontheotherhand, notedthat theimpact of Afrofuturism extendsbeyondtherealmsof literatureandpermeatesvariousart forms.He furtherpointedout that theinfusionof futuristicelementsintotraditional Africanaestheticshassparkedaglobal renaissance,fosteringasenseof empowerment andcultural prideamongindividualsof Africandescent. Abbasgavetheaudiencehisperspectiveof theemerginggenresaying, ?Afrofuturismstandsasatestament tothepowerof storytellingasa vehiclefortransformationandempowerment.Byembracingtheboundless potential of theimagination,Afrofuturist authorscontinuetoredefinethe narrativeof blackidentityandculture,forgingapathtowardafuturethat is bothtechnologicallyadvancedanddeeplyrootedintheessenceof African heritage.?
Reham Aiaad, Egyptian Influencer duringher session in SIBF2023
Women?s contri b uti ons th rough th e centuri es EgyptianinfluencerRehamAiaad?scaptivatingstorytellingtakesaudiences downthememorylanetomarvel at femalerolemodelsthroughtime
Oneof themost inspiringmodern-dayfemalerolemodelsintheregion - Egypt?sRehamAiaad- addressedapackedgatheringat theongoing 42ndannual SharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF),andtookthemona journeythroughtime,highlightingparticularpersonalitytraitsthat enabledwomenthroughout historytoleaveamarkandbecomea timelessinspirationforothers. ?Inmanyways,lifeiseasierforwomentoday.Inthepast,womenhad tofight fiercelytoenjoybasichumanrights.It isduetotherelentless passionof thesebravewomenthat Iamsittinghereonstagetoday,? Aiaadnoted. Startingfromthebeginningof time, AiaadpaidhomagetoSt.Mary,not onlyforbeingthemotherof JesusChrist but alsofortheendless support shegaveherson.?SheistheonlyonewhohasaSurahinthe HolyQuran; nootherwomanhasthat honour.? Afterdescribingthecrucial roleSayyidaKhadijah,wifeof Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)playedinbelievingunconditionallyinhim,Aiaad recountedthelivesof otherimportant MiddleEasternwomensuchas QueenHatshepsut andShajarAl-durrof Egypt andAlgeria?sDjamila AbouHereed,whonevergaveintothedemandsandrestrictionsof society,despitefacingrejectionandconsistent hardships. SalutingHerHighnessSheikhaFatimabint Mubarak, wifeof late President of theUAE,SheikhZayedbinSultanAl Nahyan, for establishingthefirst women'sorganisationinAbuDhabi,AiaadsaidHer HighnesswasawardedthePalmFrondsKnight of theOrderof AcademicPalms,oneof themost prestigiousFrenchdecorationsin 2004. Narratingthelifestoryof MadameMarieCurie,thefirst womanin historytowintheprestigiousNobel Prizetwice, Aiaadinformed audienceshowpeopleobjectedtoCuriewinningthecovetedprizeonly becauseshewasawoman.At adinnerhostedbytheRoyal Institute, Curiewasmadetosit andwatchherhusbandgivethepresentationfor theproject theyworkedonjointlyastheorganisersdidn?tbelievea womancouldbeonstage.But Curienevergaveup.?Morethan100 yearsafterherdeathwhenBBCmagazineaskedpeopletovoteforthe greatest womanwhochangedthefaceof history,shewonthat vote.? ?Womenaremothers, womengivelifeandcontinuity,womenarehalf of societyandIcall uponeachwomantokeepherfaiththrough persistenceandbelief totranslateherdreamsintorealityandnevergive up.? Funandeducational,the42ndSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF)is hostingexcitingactivitiesforfamilymembersof all agegroups.1043 Araband990international publisherswill showcaseover1.5million booktitles,including800,000inArabicand700,000inotherlanguages. Theprestigiousevent istakingplacefromNovember1-12inExpoCentre Sharjah.
On Gender I nf l uenced Wri ti ng Styl es Expertsexplorethedifferencebetweenmaleandfemalethriller writers
TheSharjahInternational BookFair2023hostedapanel discussionledby TamreezInam,showcasingtwoprominent malethrillerwriters alongsidetwoaccomplishedfemalecounterparts.Theconversation coveredthenuancedaspectsandthemesabout howgendershapesthe writingstyleswithinthethrillingliterarygenre. TamreezInamsparkedthediscussionbyqueryingtheaudience'sviewson whethergenderimpactshowthrillerwritersapproachthemes. Transitioningtothepanellists, shequestionedif femalethrillerwriters tendtodelveintointricatecharacteremotionsandrelationships, infusing empathyandpsychological depth,andif therewasacontrast tomale counterparts,whooftenprioritiseactionandexternal conflicts. Emirati novelist,Dr.HamadAl Hammadi revealedthat theapproachof thrillerwriterstotheirthemesisinfact influencedbygender, withmale andfemaleauthorsofferingdistinct perspectivesshapedbytheirlife experiences,societal roles, andpersonal sensibilities.Hesharedthat after engagingindiscussionswithsomeof hisreaders,heisinclinedtobelieve that theauthenticityof thefemalevoiceoftenresonatesmorewith readersof thesamegender,makingit easierforthemtorelatecompared tomalevoices. KathleenAntrim,anaward-winningthrillerauthor,explainedthe importanceof thewriter?sperspectiveinshapingthethematicapproach of astory.?Thepoint of viewfromwhichastoryistoldisacritical factorindetermininghowthethemewill beapproached,"shenoted. Kathleenhighlightedthat thethrillergenreiswidelypopularforboth malesandfemalesanddefiesconfinement tojust oneperspective. Accordingtoher, thehallmarkof anyoutstandingworkliesinthe author?suniqueviewpoint andstorytellingabilities, transcendinggender boundaries. AlexFinlaystressedthetranscendent natureof thethrillergenre, assertingthat itsbeautyliesinsurpassinggenderexpectations.He observedthat bothmaleandfemalewritersbringdistinctivedimensions, enhancingthegenrewithdiversevoicesandperspectives.Ultimately,an author'screativeprowessanduniqueviewpoint definetheirnarrative approach,overshadowingpreconceivedgendernorms. Finally,highlightingtheroleof genderinshapingwritingstyles,Noor Abdul Majeed,anEgyptian-bornSaudi author,explainedthat it shouldn't constrainauthors?creativescope.Shearguedthat bothmaleandfemale thrillerwritersofferuniqueperspectives, enrichingthegenrewith diversity. Astheconversationunfolded,it becameevident that eachpanellist had carvedtheirnicheinthethrillergenre,offeringreadersamosaicof perspectives.Thethemesof suspense,intrigue, andpsychological tension wereexploredthroughvariousstyles, showcasingtheversatilityinherent inthrillerwriting. Thepanel discussion,part of SharjahInternational BookFair2023 extensiveprogramme,entertainedandeducatedtheaudience,fosteringa deeperappreciationforstorytelling.Theexchangeof ideasand perspectiveshighlightedtherichnessof thethrillergenreandreinforced thenotionthat diversityinvoicescontributestothevibrancyof literature.
Pi oneeri ng w omen auth ors i l l umi nate th e art of craf ti ng compel l i ng ch aracters Inspiringsessionfocusedonhowwritersworktocreatebelievableprotagonists intheirdetectivenovels
DuringthehighlyanticipatedThrillerFestival, takingplaceaspart of the 42ndSharjahInternational BookFair(SIBF), threeprolificwomenauthors discussedtheuniquemethodologytheyusetocraft complex,yet likable characters. Titled?UnveilingtheUnknown:TheSecretsBehindWritingEngaging DetectiveProtagonists?,thesessionwaswell attendedparticularlyby aspiringwriterseagertolearnkeytradesecretsfromwithinthewriting world. Elaboratingonthemethodsheusesforcharacterisation, K.J.Howe, AuthorandExecutiveDirectorof ?ThrillerFest,?anannual conferenceof International ThrillerWriters,saidshefocusesoncreatingaprotagonist whohasrelatablehumantendenciesaswell asbeingastrong character. ?Whilemost crimefictionfocussesonmurder,Ichosetowriteabout kidnapping,withmyprotagonist astheleadkidnapnegotiatorwho happenstoalsohaveType1diabetes.Imixedinmymedical writing backgroundintomystoryandwantedtoshowtheworldthat people withchronicillnesscanalsobegoodat theirjob.Most protagonistsin booksarehealthy,but mineisnot, andyet sheisanacenegotiator,? saidtheauthor,athree-timewinnerof theDaphneduMaurierAward renownedforherbookTheFreedomBrokerandSkyjack. AuthorandEngineerDr.SuaadAl Shamsi,famousforbeingthefirst femaleEmirati aircraft engineersharedherperspectivesaying, ?The writeristhevoiceof thepeople.IknewIwantedtobethevoiceof a lot of peoplewhocan?tsharetheirstory.IrememberafterIwroteone of mybooksawomancalledmecryingandsaid?theheroof thebook isme,?? Explaininghowwritingisaspiritual journey,whichallowsanauthorto createamirrorfortheirownthoughts, UAEbasedSyrianauthorKinana Issastated,?Thoroughresearchisessential whenaimingtocreatea characterwithdepthandcomplexity.Inmybook, theprotagonist grappleswithmemorylossandthemysteriouslossof hisbelovedwife, whogoesmissinginGranadaunabletospeakSpanish.Immersing myself inthecharacter'sperspectivedemandedextensiveresearchon mypart.? All threewomenadvisedbuddingauthorsnot toworryabout things likewordcount orhowmanypagestheyhavefinishedwriting.Al Shamsi said, ?Alwaysbelieveyouwill befamousonedayandthat you areagoodwriter,takeadvicefromexpertsandmost importantlyread morebooks.?Echoingthesamesentiment,Issa?sadvicewassimplyto keepwriting.?Whenyouwant towrite,don't thinkof criticism.? Despitewinningawards,Howesaidsheisconstantlylearningand hopingtogrowwitheverysinglebook.
Getti ng th e f acts strai gh t BassemYoussef at SIBF2023:Sharesbehind-the-scenesdetailsof hisviral interviewsandabout becomingawriter
InacandiddiscussiononFridayeveningat theSharjah International BookFair(SIBF2023),authorandcomedian BassemYoussef revealedfresh,undiscloseddetailsabout his twoviral interviewswithPiersMorganabout theongoing warinGaza. ?WhentheeventsinGazaunfolded,Morgan'sproducer contactedmeforaninterviewtodiscussthematter.The imageportrayedinWesternmediawasverynegative,andI felt that talkingabout it at that timewasakintocareer suicide.Iinitiallyrefused, but astherepeatedrequestsand abundant misinformationcontinuedtopileon,Idecidedto speakandset therecordstraight.Iconsideredapproachingit comedically,knowingthisinterviewwouldbea double-edgedsword?,Youssef sharedwithEmirati entrepreneurAnasBukhash, whomoderatedthedialogue. Gettingthefactsstraight BassemYoussef went ontoexplainthat afterrealisingthe incredibleresonanceandimpact of thefirst interview, he decidedtoconduct anotherin-personinterviewwith Morgan.Thepreparationforthesecondinterviewwas different,intendingtoexplainanissueinaccuratelyhesaid, addingthat hecollaboratedwithresearchers,formingthree teamsfromaroundtheworld,includinghistoriansfromthe West Bank,Gaza,andotherlocations. Hesaid,?Theyconductedextensiveinterviewsovertwo weeks,gatheringsignificant information.Thechallengewas findingtheappropriatewaytopresent it, whichIdidcalmly, allowingtheinterviewerhisspaceandsuccessfully deliveringmymessage?. Bassemalsolet hispackedaudienceinonhisjourneyof livinginAmerica,parenthood,andhisbookTheMagical Realityof Nadiaduringaninsightful andwittydialogue. Focusingfullyonthepresent TheEgyptiancomediantoldtheaudiencethat theideaof doingstand-upcomedyinEnglishemergedbecausehe neededasourceof incometoestablishhimself inthemedia. ?Thefirst twoyearswereextremelychallengingand frustratingduetotheaudience'sresponsetomy performance?. Youssef thentransitionedtohostingashowinArabic. Sharinghislearningsfromthisperiod, heopined, ?Youshould not lookat thejourneyasawhole, norshouldyou anticipatehowit will end.Instead,focusonthepresent and what youhavetoday.Thefuturewill come, sodon't preoccupyyourself withwhat youwill be.Youwill only
reachthereif youconcentrateonwhat youaredoingnow, without neglectingproperplanning.' Children'sbookonembracingdifferencesanddiversity About authoringTheMagical Realityof Nadia,Youssef said theideaemergedfromatalkwithhisagent.?The protagonist,Nadia,namedaftermydaughter,faces challengesinschool becauseshecomesfromadifferent background,but possessesatool that allowshertorevisit herancient history.Thebook'smainideawastodiscuss diversityandhowonecanlearnandbenefit fromthis diversity.Ibelievethat lifeisacontinuousjourneyof learning?. Ontheimportanceof reading,Youssef stressedtheneedto chooseabookbasedonpersonal interest andreadit through.Heenjoysreadingabout historyfromdifferent pointsof viewandappreciatesthediverseperspectivesthat enhancecommunication. At theendof thesession,Youssef sharedthethreemost significant lessonshelearnedin2023:theimportanceof continuouslearning; empathytowardsothers, especially towardsthosewhoaredifferent;andthevirtuesof patience andinachievingone'saspirations?.
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SharjahInternational BookFair2023