Volunteers prepare for the book event.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Celebrating the Emirate of Sharjah as World Book Capital City, a four-day book fair offering over a million used books will start from Feb 26-29 held at the Palm Gardens, Khalid Lake.

The 7th edition of the used book fair will be organised under the theme of “Get a book - Light a path” by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHC).

Consistent with the cultural, and knowledge approach which, coinciding with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the SCHS has been organising the fair every 2 years since 2006 reinforcing the value of a book and its importance, and also to promote the culture of reading through the community in all age categories.  

Jehad Abed Alkader, the festival’s General Coordinator, told the Gulf Today that the preparations for the upcoming event are in full swing as volunteers from different sectors are managing all the pre-festival arrangements.

The first edition was launched in April 2006 and the number of books displayed was 80,000 that reached one million in 2016. The  orgainisers are expecting more than one million books in the upcoming four-day festival.

Jehad said that the preparation for the current version started last May, when Sheikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of the SCHS, presided over a meeting in which the working committees were formed and members were names and tasks distributed.

“Work is ongoing under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, to develop the Used Book Festival through perfect organisation, innovative ideas, and the increase in the number of displayed books and revenues that serves the public interest of people with disabilities and the society as well. At the same time maintaining the pricing of books in the fair is between one dirham and twenty dirhams, providing an opportunity for all, to get books at nominal prices,” Alkader said.  

He also added the festival will offer a wide range of cultural events, recreational programmes, and various cultural activities. It is considered as the first, and the largest festival of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, in aspects of its idea, and organising. The festival deserves every required support especially; it has a rosy picture of “The Smiling Emirate,” which works hard to ensure a decent life for all.