SHARJAH, 25th September, 2023 (WAM) — The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) demonstrated its dedication and commitment to supporting the publishing industry both in the region and globally through its pavilion at the 22nd edition of the Amman International Book Fair in Jordan running from 21st to 30th September, 2023, and attended by over 400 publishers from 22 countries.
The pavilion also served as a platform for hosting meetings with directors of Arab book fairs and publishing houses to present the opportunities available for those working in the creative industries.
The SBA pavilion received a host of ministers, diplomats, and cultural figures during their participation, where Fadel Hussein Bussaim, Director of SBA in Sharjah’s eastern region, presented a copy of the book “The Inquisition Manuscripts” by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to Jordanian Minister of Culture, Haifa Najjar. The SBA’s director also presented a copy of another book by The Ruler of Sharjah titled “My Early Life (Sard Al That)” to Dr. Atef Abu Saif, the Palestinian Minister of Culture.
The delegation from the SBA met with Haitham Younis, Head of the Central Administration for Exhibition Affairs in Egypt, and Bashar Jassim, Director of the Bahrain International Book Fair, and Mukhtar AlKhalidi, Director of the Algiers International Book Fair. During their meeting, they discussed cooperation opportunities in organising exhibitions and the Authority's upcoming participation in the Cairo International Book Fair and the Bahrain International Book Fair. Additionally, the Authority's delegation met with several representatives of new publishing houses in the Arab cultural scene, inviting them to participate in the Sharjah International Book Fair 2024.
The SBA’s pavilion featured distinguished works from various Emirati institutions and publishers. The presentation highlighted the SBA’s ongoing mission to strengthen Sharjah's position as a prominent cultural hub in the Arab world. It also underscored the authority’s role in supporting the book industry, promoting a culture of reading and learning, and fostering cooperation among publishers at regional and global levels.
The SBA shed light on Sharjah’s investment in the publishing sector, offering opportunities for publishers to advance their work. The Authority’s delegation invited exhibitors to participate in the upcoming 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, the world’s largest platform for buying and selling publishing rights in 2021 and 2022. The authority also invited children's literature publishers to participate in the upcoming edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, which brings together experts, specialists, authors, and illustrators worldwide.
Fadel Hussein Bussaim, Director of the SBA in Sharjah’s eastern region, commented on their participation, stating, “Our presence at the Amman International Book Fair solidifies Sharjah’s cultural initiative and the emirate’s prominent position on the Arab cultural landscape, thanks to the vision and guidance of Dr. Sheikh Sultan in elevating the role of books and knowledge in the journey of development.”
He added, “SBA is committed to participating in international book fairs to enhance cooperation with our publishing industry partners, share experiences and insights, and offer prime opportunities to Arab and international authors and publishers. We invite them to partake in Sharjah's cultural events, leveraging our advanced infrastructure in the creative sector to explore new avenues for expanding their reach into global markets.”