Sharjah: Organisers announced on Monday that the annual book fair will commence next week, which is a month earlier than previous years.
"Last year the book fair in December coincided with the school examinations, so in order to avoid the conflict of schedules the book fair will now be held a month earlier," said Abdullah Al Owais, Director General of Sharjah Department of Culture.
The 27th edition of the Sharjah World Book Fair runs from October 29 to November 7, and will be inaugurated by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. All the books at the fair will be sold at a 25 per cent reduction of the face-value, according to Dr Yousuf Aydabi, General Coordinator of the Sharjah World Book Fair.
Last year, more than 40,000 pupils participated in the book fair and over 400,000 visitors attended the event.
More than 725 publishing houses from various countries of the world will offer books on a range of subjects and categories such as electronics, Islam and children's books. 26 Arab and 213 foreign countries are taking part in the book fair.
Limited edition: 'Earth' debut
A 580-page atlas, weighing at 19 kilogrammes, will be launched at the Sharjah Book Fair.
The atlas titled, Earth, made its world debut in Sydney on October 9, after which it left Australia for a tour of the world with its final destination at the Sharjah event.
There are currently only 3,000 copies available worldwide, according to publishing company Millennium House.
