‘Power of words’ helps form bridges of cultural values
The SIBF’S slogan ‘Spread the word’ calls on people of the world to believe in the power of words in building bridges of cultural communication based on noble values
The highly anticipated 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) will kick off on Nov.2 for 12-days, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced.
Themed “Spread the word,” the cultural extravaganza will further SBA’S ongoing mission to highlight the emirate’s cultural project and raise the community’s awareness about the power of the writen word and its importance in building a bright, sustainable future.
The 41st edition of SIBF will take place in Expo Centre Sharjah from Nov.2-13, and host Italy as Guest of Honour. The event’s slogan calls on people of the world to believe in the power of words in building bridges of cultural communication based on noble values.
With a line-up of hundreds of distinguished authors and intellectuals from around the world who will lead a vibrant cultural programme, SBA seeks to manifest what words can accomplish in honouring and respecting cultural diversity.
Commenting on the upcoming edition, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “The 41st edition of SIBF renews our commitment to the wise vision set by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, focused on building societies that understand the true value of books and its formative role in the developmental journeys of nations. It also asserts the impact of authors, creatives and intellectuals in driving the role of culture in building civilisations and making a tangible impact on human awareness.”
He added: “SIBF represents a living manifestation of Sharjah’s ambitions set more than 50 years ago, to present to the world one of the most successful and pioneering developmental projects in the region and the world - one founded on investing in culture and human capital development; one that transcends libraries and creative events, authors, intellectuals and poets to influence and shape other key sectors of a nation and the world. Books shape the identity of a nation. Books are the engines of an economy; they are change makers and a developmental tool. Without them no achievements in knowledge, science or investments can be realised.” For her part, Khawla Al Mujaini, General coordinator of SIBF, said the slogan of the 41st edition “spread the word” reflects the true power contained in words and their impact on every aspect of life.
“With this slogan, we want to convey that words are not writen to be hidden between covers of books. Words are at the core of all creative pursuits, and in fact, at the heart of everything we do.”
In 2021, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), crossed a major cultural milestone by becoming the year’s largest publishing event worldwide in terms of business exchanges and copyright sales.
Recently, the SBA announced the launch of a significant new award for publishing rights professionals which will be awarded at the 2022 edition of the 12th Sharjah International Book Fair Publishers Conference.
Designed to support rights professionals and enhance opportunities for industry growth, the debuting Sharjah Rights Connection Award will be presented in two distinct categories: one, for an individual professional selling translation rights at a publishing company, and second, for independent professionals or those working with specialised agencies to sell the rights to books to publishers and other licensors, WAM reported.
The Publishers’ Conference was launched in 2011 with a ground-breaking rights translation grant programme that supported the translation of works across all languages. The SIBF translation grant has since enabled the publication of 1,672 books across 41 languages and the vibrant matchmaking programme that facilitates it at the annual SIBF Publishers Conference has been the axis of many new connections across the rights trading world with a unique emphasis on bringing new markets and publishers into the trading mix.
Organised in the lead-up to the annual book fair, the SIBF Publishers Conference is a robust plaform for buying and selling rights, signing book deals, exploring translation opportunities, and serving other commercial interests of the sector.