|
The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), an affiliate of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), is participating in the 25th edition of the Doha International Book Fair, being held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, from 7-17 January 2015, with the participation of 432 publishers from 29 countries.
Running parallel to the book fair, the Doha Cultural Festival features a range of art events, performances and intellectual seminars.
Sharjah is being represented in the Doha Book Fair by Faisal Al Naboodah, Sales Officer – International.
Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, highlighted the importance of SIBF’s participation in the Doha Book Fair, which comes in line with its outreach strategy to enhance its foreign participations in sisterly and friendly countries and be familiarised with the best practices in the field of organising book fairs and events related to the publishing industry. This ambitious strategy is consistent with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to connect with stakeholders in the book industry around the world, benefit from their expertise and ideas about the development of the Sharjah International Book Fair, and maintain its outstanding position as one of the most important and major book fairs in the world.
Al Ameri commended the depth of cultural relations between the UAE and Qatar which are built on the bonds of brotherhood and joint action to serve the cultural, heritage, and intellectual activities in the GCC countries and the Arab world.
Al Ameri went on to say, “The current edition of the Doha Book Fair coincides with its silver jubilee celebrations, which makes it a special edition that is expected to receive a great attention from professionals in the publishing industry, both from the region and entire world. SIBF’s participation in this edition gains great importance as it will allow us to network with a large number of specialists and people interested in books.
A number of prominent figures and VIPs visited the SIBF Stand, notably His Excellency Ahmad Bin Abdullah Bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for the Council of Ministers affairs, who received a copy of the latest book by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, 'Under the Flag of Occupation" from Faisal Al Naboodah.
The SIBF Stand serves as a point of attraction and has received a great response from Qatari, Arab, and foreign publishers who have visited it to inquire about participating in the upcoming edition of SIBF, which is due to be held from 4-14 November 2015.
The stand also helps introduce publishers and visitors to the Translation Grant offered by SIBF to promote translation from and into the Arabic language. The SIBF Stand provides publishers and visitors with all information they need to answer their queries about events and activities held during its 11-day event every year, most notably its annual Professional Programme as well as the upcoming conference of the American Library Association (ALA), which is set to be hosted by Sharjah for the first time this year.
SIBF seeks through this participation to connect with and strengthen its ties with publishers, cultural and intellectual figures, and media personalities who visit the Qatari capital, to invite them to participate in the cultural and intellectual events and activities that run alongside the Book Fair every year.
The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) was established in December 2014 by an Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Under the decree, the authority is tasked with encouraging investment in creative industries and providing a platform for knowledge and intellectual exchange among peoples and cultures from different civilisations and cultures.
SBA will also develop the printing and publishing sector and reaffirm the significant role of writers and their influence on spreading awareness and knowledge in society in light of technological advancements and the availability of various sources of knowledge.
The authority assumes the responsibility of enhancing the Emirate’s status on the regional and international level to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general, and the publishing, printing, translation, documentation and children’s book sector in particular.
It is also tasked with encouraging community members to pursue education and develop their capabilities to adapt to continuously changing life conditions. SBA furthermore works to encourage society members to keep in touch with other people from different cultures and develop community awareness about the importance and value of information, and how to benefit from information in developing their societies.
It will also support the cultural movement and scientific research at local, regional, and international levels, and suggest legislation that contribute to reviewing and developing book-related policies.
|
New
Review
Sharjah International Airport - 41°F
