Culture & Education | Friday 11 November, 2016 2:36 am |

The ’1001 Titles’ initiative’s stand at the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) was flocked by visitors to get copies of their books signed by their authors. The book signing event featured 16 popular Emirati and Arab authors, and a collection of 18 new titles produced by them, which furthers 1001 Titles’ goal of supporting and encouraging authors to produce quality literature that will enrich the Arab region culturally, and promote new titles locally and internationally.

 

The authors and titles part of this book signing initiative included Aysha Al Naqbi, author of Blue Moon; Abrar Al Harmi, author of Jul Qalbi (All My Heart); Soad Matar, who wrote Kaif Tahya (How to Live); Sahar Najm and her book Ummi Shantat Safar (My Mother is a Suitcase); Dr Mohammed Afarkhas, writer of Al Eid (The Eid); Faleh Hanthal and his Qalet li Al Hasnaa (What Beauty Told Me); Basema Al Misbahi, the author of Nadi Al Qira’a (Reading Club) and Nadi Al Tanmeya Al Thateyya (Self-development Club); Dr Reem Al Qirq, who wrote Hal Ajleb Lak Feelan Sagheeran (Do I Bring You a Little Elephant?); Saleha Ghabesh and her book Wardi wa Azraq (Pink and Blue); Mohammed Mahran, author of Vetameen Al Saadaa (Vitamin of Happiness); Sulaiman Al Kaabi who wrote Maosouaa Estishraf Al Mostaqbal (Future Foresight Encyclopaedia); Rida Blaik Hourani, writer of Umm Al Dowais Bu Deryah; Jehan’s Doma Wa Azya’a men Alam Alf Laila wa Laila (Dolls and Fashion From 1001 Knights World), Noor Hussain, author of Sha’ari Yaktob (My Hair is Writing; and  Alya Zayed, writer of Be’ar Al Madina Al Malouna (The Well of a Cursed City).

 

In the days of the book fair that remain, the initiative’s stand will host more book signing events featuring; Abdullah Al Hababi and his book Bait al Qird (Monkey’s House); Alyazia Khalifa, author of Endama Yofakker Al Hawwa (When Air Thinks); Rahaf Mobarak’s Salamon Alaiha (Peace Upon Her); and Suhair Al Samman and Ansam Jameel’s Majmouaa Qisas Al Atfal (Collection of Kids’ Stories).

 

“Our participation at the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair is aimed at educating and informing fair visitors about the exceptional collection of titles that were supported by the initiative, which is currently working towards achieving its goal of publishing 1001 new titles in 2016–17. We need to encourage the brilliant Emirati writers, authors and researchers we have by publishing their books and promote them on local as well as international forums,” said Majd Al Shehhi, Manager of 1001 Titles.

 

Launched in February 2016, the 1001 Titles initiative aims to enrich the UAE’s intellectual output and ensure the sustainability of its publishing sector, as well as those in other countries. It has been working to support Emirati authors and publishing houses by ensuring they are provided with the resources necessary compete successfully in the publishing industry by overcoming its various challenges.