The acclaimed chef returned to the UAE for the first time since 1997, sharing stories, spice, and soul at Sharjah International Book Fair’s Cookery Corner

Sharjah, November 8, 2025 

As aromas of cumin, paprika, and coriander filled the air, as Lebanese-Palestinian chef Hisham Assaad captivated audiences at the Cookery Corner of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) with a session that was equal parts storytelling and culinary art.

Continue reading Flavours of home: Lebanese-Palestinian chef Hisham Assaad brings memory to the table at SIBF 2025 →

The inspiring three-day workshop helped participants to explore their heritage
through storytelling at the 44^th Sharjah International Book Fair

Sharjah, November 8, 2025 

“Find the fire inside you that keeps you sleepless and wanting to write; find that passion and give it a life,” award-winning Vietnamese novelist Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai during an interactive creative writing workshop titled “Unleash Your Creative Writing Powers & Reflect on Your Heritage” at the 44^th Sharjah International Book Fair.

The internationally bestselling author gave a morale-boosting pep talk to address issues faced by each participant, writer’s block, lack of confidence, time constraints and family responsibilities, or venturing into topics alien to them. The workshop encouraged prospective writers to embark on an adventurous journey to the past where they reflected on their individual heritage and created stories that bound them more strongly to their roots.

The Vietnamese novelist, whose poems and novels have drawn richly from her country’s American occupation and war years as well as memories of her childhood, told her audience that it took her seven years to complete her bestseller The Mountains Sing and it was never too late to start on their book. “Never give up. Just believe in your story and don’t overthink,” she advised as she pointed out the importance of getting up early, sticking to deadlines, or staying away from the phone and distractions.

Dr. Nguyễn stated: “The creative writing process involves researching, brainstorming, drafting, editing, sharing with your first readers, and editing again before publishing. My tip is to read aloud after writing and leave it alone for a few weeks, and then come back to it – doing these things will give you a new perspective.”

According to Nguyen, “what makes a compelling story is dynamic narrators and characters, an interesting setting, a fascinating plot, meaningful messages and an emotional connection or empathy. Use all your senses so that the reader can feel it.”

Each aspiring writer had to give a story idea from their childhood and roots. They ranged from an Indian black necklace to ward off evil to a teddy bear, an Irish friendship ring from an adoptive parent, old photographs, and a passport that connected them to their native land despite taking citizenship elsewhere. Some came up with a poem and others the introduction to a memoir or novel.

Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 is a 12-day event, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme ‘Between You and a Book’. Visitors will get the opportunity to experience more than 300 cultural events led by 158 Arab and international guests, 750+ workshops in Arabic and English covering writing, editing, publishing, and creativity and 85 stage performances from 12 countries.