The 39th Sharjah International Book Fair has officially kicked off.
The 10-day event, which runs from Wednesday, November 4, until Saturday, November 14, is taking a hybrid approach this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
While publishers will be at the Sharjah Expo Centre selling books at stalls spread across the venue, the fair's cultural programme, which includes panel discussions and talks, will take place online.
Here is our pick of the not-to-be-missed sessions, all of which you can watch from the comfort of your home.
Writing as a New Career
When: 1pm, Wednesday, November 4
British crime novelist Karen Millie-James meets Lebanese writer and director Leena Khouri to discuss how to take up creative writing and turn it into a full-time career. The two will discuss their works and talk about how their very different careers led them to become writers.
How Literature Inspires the Empowerment of Women
When: 7pm, Wednesday, November 4
Lebanese author Najwa Zebian will explore the role of literature in empowering women, especially in the context of the Arab world. The session will question how literature has become a powerful industry in which women can express themselves and find a voice in the community.
Robert Kiyosaki's Writing Journey
When: 9pm, Wednesday, November 4
The bestselling Rich Dad Poor Dad author will talk about his writing journey and how he became a household name before discussing his upcoming projects.
Writing Romance in the Modern Era
When: 10am, Thursday, November 5
Bestselling Indian novelist Ravinder Singh will discuss the challenges of writing a gripping romance book in our modern times, exploring how social media has impacted romantic relationships and whether future generations of readers will still connect with the contemporary romance novel.
Approaching Social Dilemmas
When: 7pm, Thursday, November 5
American rapper, Spoken word artist and filmmaker Prince Ea will give a special talk, discussing how we can approach social dilemmas, collectively working in co-operation in spite of conflicting interests.
The Art of Observation
When: 4pm, Friday, November 6
Life of Pi author Yann Martel will talk about how observing the human condition can help create important literary works, and why authors need to observe people and take in as much as possible.
Giving Women a Voice
When: 3pm, Saturday, November 7
English novelist and non-fiction writer Kate Mosse will explore how popular, bestselling and entertaining literature helps give women a voice.
The Face Behind the Word
When: 5pm, Saturday, November 7
In The Company of Strangers novelist Awais Khan will discuss the relationship between the author and their works, investigating how creative writers manipulate words to weave stories, novels, poems, thoughts or even works of philosophy. Khan will also explore how those words change depending on the content.
Combining Fiction and Poetry
When: 10am, Sunday, November 8
Lang Leav, the bestselling author of Lullabies, will discuss how poets can transition to writing novels. She will elaborate on her personal journey as a poet and fiction writer, giving advice to poets who also want to make the transition.
Meet Ian Rankin
When: 3pm, Monday, November 9
Ian Rankin, the bestselling writer behind the Inspector Rebus series of detective novels, will discuss the excitement and stresses in keeping the suspense and maintaining a crime series character.
Influence of Modern World on Writing of Today
When: 1pm, Tuesday, November 10
Journalist and the author of Ladies Who Punch: Fifty Trailblazing Women Whose Stories You Should Know, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will be in conversation with Iraqi writer, poet and translator, Muhsin Al Ramli. They will compare their works both as journalists and commentators on the modern world, and how this influences them when writing their books.
Social Media During the Pandemic
When: 5pm, Wednesday, November 11
Alexandra Maia, founder of House of Social, will examine how social media played a pivotal role in spreading information and misinformation about the pandemic as it took hold.
Two Worlds
When: 1pm, Saturday, November 14
Ugandan novelist Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and Emirati novelist and poet Sultan Al Amimi will be in conversation about their works, discussing what influences them and how the distinctive oral traditions of Africa and Arabic storytelling has shaped their writing.
For more information or to sign up to attend, visit sibf.com
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
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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FULL%20RESULTS
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
Dubai World Cup draw
1. Gunnevera
2. Capezzano
3. North America
4. Audible
5. Seeking The Soul
6. Pavel
7. Gronkowski
8. Axelrod
9. New Trails
10. Yoshida
11. K T Brave
12. Thunder Snow
13. Dolkong
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
