In Dubai, the sixth edition of the 'Big Bad Wolf' book fair has launched, featuring over a million books with discounts up to 95% and prices starting from two dirhams. The event, running until March 8th, is held under the theme 'Beyond the Noise,' highlighting the growing desire for thoughtful and meaningful reading amidst a surge of digital distractions. The fair is positioned not just as a shopping experience, but as an interactive space enabling families, students, and individuals to engage directly with books in an immersive and stimulating environment.
The exhibition covers a wide spectrum of publications, including novels, non-fiction, children's literature, cookbooks, educational resources, and self-help books. Majeed Isa Al-Nuaimi, Director of Investment and Partnerships at the Sharjah Book Authority, noted that the fair is growing and expanding annually, with plans to organize it in more emirates within the UAE and other countries where it has already been held. He also highlighted the increasing focus on Arabic titles, which has become a priority for the organization over the past year.
Andrew Yap, CEO and Co-Founder of the fair, explained that the theme 'Beyond the Noise' refers to the digital noise in our daily lives. He pointed out that when books become easily accessible and affordable, reading transforms from an impulsive purchase into a sustainable family habit. Despite the rising demand for books, the number of physical bookstores is insufficient to meet it. Consequently, the fair showcases over a million books, with another half a million in storage to ensure a constant restock. The fair is divided into several sections, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's books, which see the highest demand.
Yap also emphasized the importance of the partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority, which has deep expertise in the publishing sector in the region. Both organizations share a common mission to create a positive impact on the world through reading. Due to the high demand, plans are in place to organize the fair in the UAE three to four times a year.
From the opening hours, the fair attracted numerous book lovers. Jacqueline Mueller mentioned she buys books for her son to cultivate a reading habit away from screens. Dina Fahim visits the fair every year to purchase diverse titles for her children and as gifts. Josanne Dency, who attended on the opening morning, also praised the variety of activity books and stories beneficial for her six-year-old son.
Furthermore, the fair supports education by offering an additional 5% discount on all English-language books for students and teachers, with no minimum purchase. It will also host a 'Stage Write 2026' playwriting competition for original 10-minute scripts, with the winner receiving a 500 dirham shopping voucher.
