Let’s celebrate the true word: Sultan
Sharjah Coronet presented to Jawaher for her dedicated services
SHARJAH: Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, motivated thousands present at the opening ceremony of the 37th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2018) with an emotional message of heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to recognise the towering contributions of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Family Affairs and presented her the ‘Sharjah Coronet’ for dedicated services to society.
“Welcome to the Sharjah International Book Fair, an event that gathers us every year to celebrate the true word. I extend a special welcome to Japan, our Guest of Honour,” he said.
The Sharjah Ruler also recalled that in 1979, he has made an appeal to stop building concrete structures and build knowledge and culture.
He said, “In 2019, it’ll be 40 years since the appeal. When we look back, we can see that we have built a 40-year legacy of giving and exceptional cultural achievements...”
SHARJAH: Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi motivated thousands present at the opening ceremony of the 37th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2018) with an emotional message of heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to recognise the towering contributions of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Family Affairs and presented her the ‘Sharjah Coronet’ for dedicated services to society.
“Welcome to the Sharjah International Book Fair, an event that gathers us every year to celebrate the true word. I extend a special welcome to Japan, our Guest of Honour,” he said.
The Sharjah Ruler also recalled that in 1979, he has made an appeal to stop building concrete structures and build knowledge and culture.
He said, “In 2019, it’ll be 40 years since the appeal. When we look back, we can see that we have built a 40year legacy of giving and exceptional cultural achievements. I can never take the sole credit for this; I say ‘we’ have achieved everything together, and I would like to once again thank you all for your contribution to the fair’s 40-year journey and success in enlightening the human mind.
“We have utilised all our resources and efforts to develop our emirate, our culture and our people – the building blocks of our society. Cherishing humanity is the way we develop ourselves here in Sharjah,” Sheikh Sultan noted.
The Ruler of Sharjah concluded with an impactful remark about mindful reading, saying, “People do not always seek the truth, but side with what they like to believe in, which may not be the truth always.
“This way, the truth is often neglected. I say to such people – look carefully and the truth is right there. The books I write are always a quest for the truth. We have taught our sons and daughters to always love reading and search for the truth.”
OPENING CEREMONY
The ceremony was attended by Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi and Her Highness Sheikha Jawahar Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi – Founder and President of the UAE Publishers Association, Saleh Al Abdooli – CEO of Emirates Telecommunications Group, Abdul Aziz Taryam – Adviser to the CEO Etisalat and General Manager of Etisalat (Northern Region), and UAEBBY Chairman Marwa Al Aqroubi, were also present on the occasion.
Delivering the welcome address, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority Ahmed Al Ameri highlighted the international acclaim the Sharjah International Book Fair has earned since its establishment. He stressed that SIBF would have not earned global respect without the vision and wisdom of Sheikh Sultan.
“The SIBF has become an intellectual and cultural extravaganza that draws international interest. It is a celebration of the Emirati and Arab cultures and a message from Sharjah and the UAE to the world about the beauty of the language of the mind, intellectual thought, art and beauty, and how it brings us all together on one stage.
“SIBF is sending a message whose letters are made of gold. A message written in different languages by people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds who share the love of words that can unite humanity in one place where there is no room except for the good. This message illustrates that knowledge is not a coincidence but a product of constant accumulation of efforts throughout human history and a result of people’s wisdom and farsightedness,” he said.
Al Ameri concluded his remarks with a glowing tribute to the Ruler of Sharjah, the UAE’S greatest patron of thought and culture. He said, “His Highness Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi has always regarded knowledge as a foundation of development and sustainability, and a nation’s strength and prestige. He is a leader of the strongest intellect and great compassion who views the book as a window to our past, present and future.”
SIBF AWARDS
Sheikh Sultan honoured Azzeldine Mihoubi, Algeria’s Minister of Culture, as the ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’ in recognition of his outstanding efforts and achievements in the development of cultural ields in Algeria.
Sheikh Sultan also honoured the winners of awards that recognise recent accomplishments in the regional and international publishing industry.
He presented the Dhs1.3 million Turjuman Award to Actes Sud, a French publishing house, for its translation of ‘The Nature of Despotism’ by Syrian author Abdul Rahman Al Kawakibi to French.
Emirati author Reem Al Kamali was awarded Best Emirati Book for ‘Delma Statute’, while Dr Mohammed Salem Al Mazroui won the Award for Best Emirati Book in the ield of Studies for his book ‘Elections in the UAE, Outcome and Future Vision.’
Other winners included Poet Salem Abu Jamhour who received the award for the Best Emirati Book on Creative Poetry for his collection ‘Battle of Buddha,’ and Dr Mohammed Omran Taryam who won the award for the Best Emirati Book on the UAE, for his book ‘Historical Roots of the Creation of the UAE.’
Aisha Al Basri was awarded the Best Arabic Novel Award for ‘Life without Me,’ and Hugh Peyman scooped the Best International Book Award for his book ‘China’s Change.’
The Best Local Publisher Award went to Kuttab Publishing, while the Best Arab Publisher Award was won by Modern Library, and the Best International Publisher went to George Olms AG–VERLAG.
Following the opening ceremony, the Ruler of Sharjah toured the fair’s stands, watched a ‘Nanchu Soran’ performance by students of the Japanese School, interacted with participating publishers and met hundreds of schoolchildren who made their way into the fair bright and early to encourage them to make the most of the 11 days of the fair.