With the pandemic-induced blues over, Sharjah is back with the 8th edition of its much-loved Al-Warraqeen Used Book Festival at the picturesque Palm Gardens on the banks of Khalid Lake.
The four-day book fest, that kicked off on 1 February, 2023, has attracted bibliophiles from various academic institutions, associations, and diplomatic missions who have zeroed in on thousands of choicest titles in a variety of genres and languages that are being sold cheap ranging from 1 dirham to 20 dirhams.
The proceeds from the book sales are being donated to the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) as a fund raiser for its various projects for people of determination. “The festival’s primary goal is to enhance the value and importance of books by encouraging people to read. It also seeks to develop and strengthen the spirit of voluntary work among all ages, promote cultural and social values, and encourage creativity among people of determination,” says SCHS Director Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei.
SCHS Director General Sheika Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi called on everyone to visit the festival to acquire valuable books and establish private libraries, stressing that the main goal of the book fest was not only to generate revenue for people with determination, but to strengthen the cognitive, cultural, and social impact among volunteers and the public.
Coinciding with the ‘Year of Sustainability’, Sheika Al Qasimi says, “One of the goals of this used book festival is to consolidate the concept of sustainability in reading. Circulation and reuse of books not only reduces consumption of paper leading to less wastage, but also encourages sharing of reading between family and friends.”
Consistent with the cultural and knowledge approach that is in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the SCHS has been organizing the fair every two years since 2006, reinforcing the value and importance of books, and also promoting the culture of reading through the community in all age categories.
