Sharjah Book Authority participates in Cairo International Book Fair

CAIRO - 31 January 2024: The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is participating in the 55th Cairo International Book Fair, which is being held under the theme "Creating Knowledge, Preserving the Word," from January 24 to February 6. The SBA is showcasing a variety of activities, events, and publications that reflect the diversity and richness of the cultural scene in Sharjah and the UAE.

The SBA is highlighting the initiatives and programs it is implementing as part of the Sharjah Cultural Project, which is based on the vision of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to position Sharjah as a global center for culture, arts, and literature. The SBA is presenting participants and visitors to the Cairo International Book Fair with examples of the events and efforts it is making to support the book industry, encourage reading and creativity in the region and the world, such as organizing competitions, prizes, workshops, and various cultural festivals, and providing support to authors, translators, and distributors.

The SBA's pavilion at the fair has been visited by a number of officials, dignitaries, and leading writers, including Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, who received Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and Dr. Nevine El-Kilani, Minister of Culture.

In a generous gesture from HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority presented a signed copy of the "Sultan of Chronicles" encyclopedia, the latest publication of the Ruler of Sharjah, to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in appreciation of his role in supporting culture in Egypt and the Arab world. The gift was received on behalf of His Excellency the President by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, who expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Ruler of Sharjah for this valuable gift.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture also received signed copies of the same book, which is the 84th publication of the Ruler of Sharjah in his series of books in various fields of knowledge.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly thanked the Ruler of Sharjah for his great efforts in supporting Arab culture and building bridges of communication between the Arab civilization and its counterparts in different countries of the world, praising the Sharjah-led qualitative projects to develop societies through investing in the knowledge and creativity industry in the Arab region.

For her part, Dr. Nevine El-Kilani, Minister of Culture, emphasized the great importance of the UAE's participation in the current edition of the fair, noting that it reflects the depth of relations between the two countries. She pointed out that the cultural events exchanged between the two countries are constantly evolving in all fields of arts and literature, and that they play an effective role in supporting further depth.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, emphasized that the Cairo International Book Fair is an important platform for publishers to meet. He explained that Sharjah, under the directives and visions of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, is keen to support and enhance the efforts led by book institutions and events in the Arab region and the world, pointing out that the renaissance of Arab creative industries requires joint efforts and broadening the horizon of joint work to transform challenges into opportunities and lead a comprehensive Arab cultural renaissance that goes beyond the dimensions of publishing, translation, and authorship to reach the construction of societies that have the tools to contribute to achieving sustainable development.

The SBA is showcasing to Arab and foreign publishers from 70 countries the opportunities for cooperation and communication that are provided by the events of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which has been awarded the title of the largest book fair in the world for three consecutive years, which include the "Publishers Conference," the "Library Conference," and the "International Distributors Conference."

Through these events, the SBA seeks to facilitate the purchase and sale of publishing and translation rights, and to facilitate the access of global knowledge to all parties involved in the book industry and readers. In addition, the SBA is highlighting the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, which aims to develop the skills and abilities of children and young people in various scientific, literary, and creative fields.