The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) concluded its 38th session, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, under the slogan “Open a book that opens minds”, with the participation of literary flags from the campaign « Nobel Prize for Literature, World Poker, and Oscar-winning filmmakers, as well as the participation of more than 2,000 publishers from 81 Arab and foreign countries.

In a new achievement in addition to the series of achievements of the event, the exhibition broke the record for the largest book signing ceremony in the world, achieving a new record in the Guinness Book, where 1502 writers participated in one collective signing ceremony, for books in various languages ​​of the world, surpassing the world record The former was registered in Turkey with the participation of 1423 writers at the same time.

Mexico is a guest of honor

This year, the exhibition was crowned by the Republic of Mexico as a guest of honor.The Lebanese critic Dr. Yomna Al-Eid (Hikmat Al-Sabbagh) was chosen as the cultural figure of the year, while presenting to his audience the most prominent media figures and literary world, including American journalist Steve Harvey, and Turkish novelist and Nobel laureate for literature Orhan Pamuk.

The Sharjah Book Fair also reviewed the experience of Indian director Oscar-winning Sampuran Karala Gulzar on the music of his famous slumdog millionaire. He also hosted the novelist and poker winner Gokha Al Harthy and Indian poet Vikram Seth.

38 years of creativity

Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, said: “After an 11-day journey, we ended the curtain on 38 years of cognitive and intellectual creativity, with the participation of Arab and foreign writers, authors and creators. The presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in the history of this event, which confirms the fact that His Highness is safe since the founding of the Sharjah Grand Cultural Project, affirms that culture, arts and writers are the most important bridge. To build relationships with Sister Twisting peoples and civilizations, the exceptional language understood by all ».

He added: `` Sharjah Cultural Project, which was launched more than four decades ago, crowned the emirate as the World Book Capital 2019.It is now the flag of the emirate which boasts in various Arab and international forums, and the basis of the intellectual communication that we engage with various cultures and languages ​​around the world. The World Book, which today ranks as one of the three most important book fairs in the world, is an event that coincided with the beginning of this renaissance, one of the expressions of the emirate's cultural project, of which we are proud to be a part, and always celebrate the written word. ».

“As we celebrate the year of the highest cultural title in the world, we celebrated Mexico, and many of its creators and writers came to us from various fields. On a journey towards more than 3000 years of art, and we got acquainted with her mother-in-law and conservation, all these authentic human scenes gathered this year on the land of Sharjah, and toured with visitors to a country with a huge legacy of knowledge and arts, all this shows the main message of the exhibition is to build bridges of communication Civilization among all cultures The new generations can build their future on an integrated base of efforts of intellectuals and creators around the world, and add to their culture a lot of expertise and experience ». Some 173 writers and novelists from 68 Arab and foreign countries participated in the exhibition, presenting more than 987 diverse events.

Sultan Grant

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, is keen to support various types of culture and creativity. He directed the allocation of AED 4.5 million to acquire the latest publications published by the 38th edition of the Sharjah Book Fair. To support the book industry and publishing houses, with the aim of providing Sharjah libraries with the latest publications.