UAE’s first silent book exhibition is currently showcasing 54 thought-provoking wordless books that have come from 20 countries around the world.
The Sharjah exhibition, hosted by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) until September 30, is focusing on how books without words can still be books and transcend linguistic and cultural barriers to be enjoyed by people globally. The exhibition is being held at the Flying Saucer — Sharjah Art Foundation.
Children, young adults, authors, illustrators visiting the exhibition are getting an opportunity to learn the techniques that go into the creation of silent books, an impact of illustrations, and the role visual language plays in conveying semantics, meaning and ideas, organisers said.
As part of the exhibition, Informative sessions are being held through which visitors are gaining unique insights into the importance of a variety of universally relevant messages contained within silent books connecting with its audience, irrespective of the language they speak.
A host of authors and illustrators are also conducting interesting workshops aimed at expanding children’s intellectual capacities, strengthening comprehension while ensuring consistency with the storyline, and telling techniques of the books used for these activities. Additionally, these workshops are helping its young participants understand the important role these silent books have played in bringing home messages of tolerance and harmony.
The origin of this exhibition started as the project that introduced silent books to migrants and local children in Lampedusa, Italy. This spirit resonates with the UAEBBY’s Kan Yama Kan initiative that works to enable children in need the opportunity to experience and enjoy high-quality books.
The UAEBBY is the national branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a non-profit organisation which represents a network of people from across the world who are committed to bringing books and children together.