SBA takes Emirati books to Mexico
SHARJAH: Sharjah Book Authority (SBA)’S role in taking Emirati culture across frontiers has gained special prominence in Central and South America this year at one of Mexico’s most reputed book fairs, the Guadalajara International Book Fair, which hosted its 32nd edition this year.
The burgeoning cultural and literary landscape in the UAE and the wider Arab world have ignited immense interest among Mexican authors, publishers and the general readership, to whom SBA has offered a unique insight into the recent achievements of the country’s and the region’s publishing industry and the emerging opportunities for business and cultural partnerships.
The SBA pavilion at the fair received several prominent Mexican cultural personalities, who spoke about Sharjah’s increasing prominence and inluence on the global cultural stage, asserting that the emirate being named the Unesco World Book Capital 2019 is a culmination of their leading efforts to promote knowledge and reading over the past 50 years.
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said being present at one of the most prominent book fairs in the Caribbean basin and Central America is instrumental to bringing the east and the west closer together.
“Mexico’s cultural milieu enjoys the rich inluences of numerous civilisations and cultures. These inluences have been central to the birth of some of the world’s best authors, poets, and artists – here in Mexico – whose works are studied, translated and celebrated worldwide. We are keen to be part of this movement of literary and cultural exchange, in line with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which places intercultural understanding and appreciation at the core of civilisational progress,” said Al Ameri.
A host of Mexican publishers, writers, intellectuals and publishing and translation entities have expressed interest in the SBA Publisher’s Conference, organised annually in the lead-up to the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). Various Mexican translation agencies have discussed ways in which they can make most of the SBA Translation Grant to promote the Arabic–spanish translations movement, and promote cross cultural exchange.