Kicks off November 2nd with 2,213 publishers from 95 countries

"Sharjah Book" returns with "Word for the World"... and a historical participation of knowledge makers

• Al-Amiri stressed, during the disclosure of the exhibition's details, that Sharjah's interest in the book is an interest in the future and current of all Arab culture.

  From the source

• Ahmed Al Ameri: “We realize that protecting our identity and enhancing our contribution to the achievement of human civilization;

  They start investing in the book.”

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2,213 publishers from 95 countries, and 129 writers, thinkers and innovators from 57 countries, will participate in the revival of 1,047 diverse cultural activities, in the 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority under the slogan "A Word to the World", during the period from the second to November 13th at the Expo Center Sharjah.

The exhibition celebrates Italy as the guest of honor during its new session, and conveys to its audience and guests through a busy program that covers the axes of Italian culture through activities that address various groups and interests, and provide a comprehensive and vivid picture of the Italian scene, and its cultural, cultural and artistic richness.

The head of the Sharjah Book Authority, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, said during a press conference held by the authority at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex yesterday, to reveal the details of the new session: “When (Sharjah International Book Fair) is mentioned, (Sharjah Great Cultural Project) is attended, and this makes us proud. A lot, because in Sharjah we are reaping the fruits of the planting of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, more than 40 years ago, and he has been taking care of him and taking care of him year after year until we reached the day when we reap the fruits of this planting.”

He added: “The exhibition started as an incubator for a few publishing houses and hundreds of visitors, and today it hosts the largest number of publishers in its history, with 2,213 publishers. The exhibition became the first in the world to buy and sell copyright in 2021, and reaching this rank was never a goal. For Sharjah, however, what the exhibition has achieved is due to what His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah built.”

Al Ameri continued: “Sharjah’s interest in the book is an interest in the future and the current of the entire Arab culture. with their minds.”

For his part, the Consul General of Italy in Dubai, Giuseppe Venociaro, said: "We are pleased to have chosen Italy as the guest of honor for the 41st edition of the exhibition, as this confirms the depth of relations between Italy and the UAE at various levels, especially in the cultural and literary sector."

He added: “Italy will provide rich programs and various initiatives that embody its role as a global icon in science, literature and culture, and based on our belief that books are the close link that secures solid and strong relations between people.

We will present a collection of works by the most famous Italian writers, which together constitute a vibrant creative and cultural tool, and tangible and moral assets that elevate humanity and serve humanity.”

For his part, the Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, Mansour Al-Hassani, reviewed the schedule of events related to the participation of publishers in this year's exhibition. The most prominent foreign participation was the presence of publishing houses from India, the United Kingdom and Italy, and all participants display more than 1.5 million titles on an area of ​​​​more than 18,000 square meters.

The exhibition will witness the participation of publishing houses from 10 participating countries for the first time: Cuba, Costa Rica, Liberia, the Philippines, Ireland, Malta, Mali, Jamaica, Iceland and Hungary.

The exhibition will host the Publishers Conference in its 12th session, over three days, from the 30th of this month to the first of November.

For her part, General Coordinator of the Sharjah International Book Fair, Khawla Al Mujaini, said about the significance of the fair’s logo: “The slogan (Word for the World) holds great privacy for Sharjah, the capital of book and culture in the region. Through it, we want to say that Sharjah bears the responsibility to spread science, knowledge and literature to present and transmit For the whole world, because (Word to the World) is a celebration of our ability as human beings to make change, spread positivity and achieve communication, and it is also an affirmation that Sharjah is a living platform for cultural exchange and knowledge meeting between peoples.”

Guests and creators

Emirati writers, thinkers and poets will participate in the exhibition, including: Sultan Al-Amimi, Kholoud Al-Mualla, Ibrahim Al-Hashimi, Saeed Al-Hanki, Dr. Hamad bin Sarai, Asma Al-Hammadi, Aisha Al-Shamsi, and others.

While the event will host a group of Arab writers, writers and artists to participate in the accompanying cultural program, including: Libyan Muhammad Al-Naas, winner of the Arab Booker Prize 2022 for his novel “Bread on Uncle Milad’s Table”, writer and former Moroccan Minister of Culture Muhammad Al-Ash’ari, and Kuwaiti poet Muhammad Jarallah Al-Sahli, the Egyptian poet Hisham Al-Gakh, the Egyptian novelist Ahmed Murad, and many others.

Among the most prominent foreign names participating in the exhibition are Deepak Chopra, the global author of a range of international bestsellers, Lincoln Pierce, the award-winning author and illustrator of children's books, Ruby Kaur, poet and illustrator, and Peko Iyer, the award-winning international novelist and essayist.

As part of its continuous interest in children, the exhibition this year dedicated 623 activities for youngsters, ranging from workshops, plays, and entertainment and educational performances.

The exhibition organizes 123 shows, distributed among theatrical performances, dance performances, touring shows, singing symphonies, and others, presented by 22 participants from eight countries.

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A diverse cultural event in the 41st session of the exhibition.

“Italy (the guest of honor) will provide during the exhibition rich programs that embody its role as an icon in literature and culture.”

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