Media Release
Sharjah, Nov 16: The 37th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2018) closed its doors on Saturday after welcoming 2.23 million visitors including 230,000 school students who came in search of books and entertainment at the region’s biggest literary and cultural extravaganza.
The fair’s activities also managed to generate unrivalled global interaction on social media and received a whopping 2.7 billion impressions on its social platforms (Instagram: 219,231,710, Twitter: 1,513,215,412, Facebook: 1,013,000,112). SIBF’s hashtag #SIBF18 reached 300 million users and the official social media accounts generated this activity through 70,000 social media posts.
The 37th edition of SIBF was home to 1,874 publishers from 77 countries offering 20 million books reflecting 1.6 million individual titles, of which 80,000 were seen at the fair for the first time. It also entertained people with a line-up of 1,800 events featuring 472 presenters and guests who flew in from around the world.
Held under the patronage of Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, the 11-day book fair ran from October 31 - November 10 at the Sharjah Expo Centre and witnessed participation of government officials, authors, intellectuals and publishers from the UAE and the world.
It hosted 1,874 publishers from 77 countries. Among them, Shanthi Prakashana was the only publishing house which represented Karnataka by exhibiting a huge volume of Kannada literature, capturing the hearts of thousands of UAE Kannadigas in the literary world. Furthermore, by participating at Sharjah International Book Fair, it drew the attention of millions of visitors from various countries who were ignorant of Kannada literature and were completely new to Kannada and its scripture. Thus Kannada and culture have gained recognition among Arab countries by being part of the global literature exhibition.
It is said, 'There are no bounds for the progress of any language'. Many visitors from Africa, Asia and the west were enthusiastic to know the language. Their eagerness in learning its letters did not stop them from asking for Kannada learning books in English. The interest of the people enhanced the spirit of Shanthi Prakashana publishers.
Shanthi Prakashana had to prepare for its closure when SIBF declared its closing. The concluding session was held on Saturday November 10 evening. The programme began with the Qirat of the convenor, Abdul Salam Deralakatte. U T Khader minister for Urban development and housing Government of Karnataka was the guest of honour. He
expressed a deep sense of love toward the literature of Shanthi Prakashana by his words. He reminisced to the gathering about the acquaintance he had with Marhoom Ibraheem Saeed and Shanti Prakashana.
He promised to do his level best to help install the other Kannada publications like Karnataka saahitya Parishad in future in SIBF, so as to promote literary interest among non-resident Kannadigas. He also wished Shanthi Prakashana to grow in heights in the coming years. "Let this small stall turn into a large scale library deriving multiple benefits," he added.
The president of Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi Sarvotham shetty was also the chief guest. Expressing his delight in the longstanding activities of Shanthi Prakashana, he remarked, "Shanthi Prakashana is an inspiration to all other organisations to carry out many more social events through mutual co-operation and support."
Another notable guest, Praveen Kumar Shetty, president of KNRI Forum and the CEO of Fortune group of hotels Dubai lauded the activities of this publishing house which exhibited its publication at SIBF. He also wished Shanthi Prakashana by proclaiming, "Let various works of literature from different publishing houses reach here through Shanthi Prakashana publishers in the coming days."
Sugand Raj Bekal the president of Karnataka sangha Sharjah, another guest through his exalted words expressed great sense of respect and fondness for Shanthi Prakashana and conveyed his regards. The president of Karnataka sangha Abu Dhabi Sarvotham Shetty was welcomed with a bouquet and adorned with a shall by Minister U T Khader. Meanwhile, the daughter of U T Khader, Haafiza Hawwa Naseema was presented a momento and honoured with a shall adorned by Hifza salma Basheer and presented a memento by the president of Bearys Cultural Forum Abu Dhabi Jb Mohammed Ali Uchil and presented a gift by the managing director of Wakth Al Qadeem watches Kaleem Mudungar.
Sugand Raj Bekal president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Saleem Althaf Qasem the chairman of Multibiz Trading Dubai and A K Kukkila editor of Sanmarga Weekly were felicitated and honoured by a shawl. Abdul Khader Kukkaje welcomed the guests and compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks. Shanthi Prakashana also invited special guests who attended all ten days of the exhibition.
Some of the finest writers, cultural personalities who participated in different days of the fair were: U T Iftiqar, Qasem Ahmed Hidaya Foundation, Isamail Bengre, the director of SAIM group Sadiq Hoode, Abdullah Madumule (general secretary BWF, Abu Dhabi), Ismail Balehonnoor, Akshara Santha Harekala Hajabba, Irshad Moodubidre and many other writers businessmen, officers and leaders of different organisations and prominent personalities who conveyed their regards during their visits.