Culture & Education | Sunday 20 October, 2019 1:51 pm |

India’s biggest superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be in Sharjah later this month, to make his debut appearance at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2019. Bachchan’s visit and interactive audience session are slated for October 30 at 5:00 pm. 

 

The event will mark the global launch of Oscar winner Dr. Resul Pookutty's book, Sounding Off: Amitabh Bachchan, whose first copy the star will sign during the launch ceremony. SIBF is also hosting a photo exhibition celebrating Bachchan’s 50-year journey in the industry, showcased through the works of India’s leading film historian, author and memorabilia archivist, S.M.M. Ausaja. 

 

With this unrivalled addition to the 38th SIBF’s celebrity guest list, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is pulling all stops to offer the UAE an unforgettable cultural spectacle this year, as the emirate celebrates its international recognition as the UNESCO World Book Capital 2019 for its leading efforts to promote reading. 

 

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, SBA Chairman, said: “In hosting the Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan, we want to highlight the close relationship between films and books; between intellectual production in general and its creative manifestation in international cinema.”

 

“At SIBF, we turn the spotlight on how the global cultural landscape is a mosaic of books, novels, poetry and cinema shared by people from all nations. In doing so, these shared cultural treasures create a common link across cultures strengthening sustainable communication,” he added.

 

“We look forward to receiving the Indian superstar in Sharjah, and we are confident that the UAE will be eagerly waiting to see him in person, and listen to him talk about his unique experiences. As the emirate celebrates its international recognition as the World Book Capital 2019, we want to offer an extraordinary experience to our visitors of 200 nationalities who have made the UAE their second home,” he concluded.

 

The 11-day book fair takes place at the Sharjah Expo Centre from Oct 30 – Nov 9.