At the hands-on storytelling session by Junkbot Robotics, young creators explore how artificial intelligence can help build comic characters, colourful worlds and stories
Sharjah, November 8, 2025
The future of storytelling took a playful turn at the ongoing 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) as a group of curious young minds gathered for a storytelling workshop aimed at introducing the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to students – some as young as four years old.
The “Writing Comic Strips with AI” session showed participants how to use AI-driven creative tools to generate ideas, design characters and help budding artists shape their own comic universes.
The inspiring three-day workshop helped participants to explore their heritage through storytelling at the 44th 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 44th 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.
The performance of Yiannis Ritsos’ Philoctetes transformed an ancient myth into a modern reflection on resilience and peace at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah, November 7, 2025
Celebrating Greece’s rich cultural heritage and its age-long connection with art, poetry, and philosophy, the Greek Travelling Theatre Troupe enacted a theatrical monologue of Philoctetes by the late Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos as part of their Guest of Honour programme at Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025.
The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair’s ‘Ink Your Thoughts’ booth at the social media pavilion provides every visitor a unique opportunity to express thoughts and aspirations in total privacy
Sharjah, November 7, 2025
“I wish I could get a PS5,” scribbled a schoolboy on the interactive storyboard that is a distinct element of the social media station at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah. From cryptic notes about their school or favourite teacher to longer ones about why they love coming to SIBF, visitors including schoolchildren are making a beeline for the “Ink your thoughts” video booth where they can write their thoughts in complete privacy.
The 3D Flower Roller Skaters team lights up the Sharjah International Book Fair venue, blending athletic artistry with floral fantasy in a spellbinding show for all
Sharjah, November 7, 205
The 44th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) made a vibrant start with the colours and magic of a British autumn as a team of dancers from the UK glided through the fair’s venue in roller skaters.
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