Year of the 50th: SBA, Emirates Writers Union to launch events
Partnership to strengthen the literary and cultural landscape of the UAE with pioneering initiatives came into effect during SIBF 2021
The Sharjah Book Authority ( SBA) has signed a partnership agreement with the Emirates Writers Union ( EWU) to organise literary events and launch cultural initiatives over the course of one year to enrich the knowledge of the Emirati community through poetry recital evenings, literary and cultural seminars, and forums.
This partnership, that came into effect during SIBF 2021, aligns with the UAE’S Year of the 50th celebrations to mark the nation’s remarkable journey over the last 50 years and begin preparing for the next 50.
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman, SBA, commented: “Following on the far-sighted vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, SBA continues to collaborate with various institutions and authorities to support the country’s cultural journey. We laud the leading efforts of EWU in launching initiatives to strengthen the cultural movement in the UAE, which has been shaped and transformed over the past 50 years to become an integral element of the country’s identity.”
The SBA Chairman added: “Both parties share a common vision; most notably, to nurture a culture of reading and knowledge amongst the younger generations and to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to realise their country’s ambitions.”
On his part, Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EWU, said: “This partnership will streamline our joint efforts over the course of one year and will lead to the unveiling of exceptional events and initiatives that will further enrich the already vibrant literary and cultural scene.”
He added: “SBA has demonstrated its leadership in steering the UAE’S cultural movement to promote the power of the writen word. This is evident in its various initiatives including the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and numerous other projects, all of which complement our vision to strengthen and advance the nation’s cultural progress.”
EXCELL-ENT BAKING: Visitors to the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) received a masterclass in gluten-free baking from one of the best in business on the concluding weekend of the book fair.
Best-selling author and full-time gluten-free food writer Becky Excell demonstrated how to whip up delicious scones for a typical English aternoon tea menu without using its main ingredient, wheat!
“It was just a simple swap of wheat flour with gluten-free flour. The rest of the recipe remains the same and so does the taste,” said the British chef as she demonstrated to a packed audience atending her session at the SIBF 2021 Cookery Corner, a step-by-step process of making the dough which she baked, dusted with sugar, and served them up with the classic scone accompaniments – jam and cream.
“Losing weight is not the purpose of glutenfree diet. Although it does impact your health positively. There are many other reasons why this diet becomes essential for many,” Excell continued referring to those suffering from a general wheat allergy to gluten intolerance to the more serious form of the Celiac disease, a digestive and autoimmune disorder that can be triggered by gluten found in grains like wheat, barley and rye, causing damage to the small intestine.
UAE STUDENTS TOP 6 FINALISTS: A group of UAEU students made it to the Top 6 finalists at the Swiss Pavilion’s youth centric insitiative called
Swiss – Middle East Circular Economy for Youth Initiative (SMECEYI).
Mahra Almaqbali, Shoug Al Mazrouie, Maryam Naveed, and Mouza Al Mansoori designed ‘Sustainable Builders’, a mobile application that acts as a plaform for stakeholders to find raw and excess construction waste which is reusable for recycling into a new construction material.
The students presented ‘Sustainable Builders’ from 2nd of November until the final pitch on 4th November where they discussed the rationale behind the project. With the country becoming an industrial hub, the students from UAEU recognised the impending and hidden issue of construction waste.
The purpose of the project aims to eliminate the increasing construction waste, save valuable natural resources, lower the CO2 emissions, and minimise the risks of pollution incidents. Through the mobile app, governments, construction companies, CD waste production units, designers, contractors, material suppliers, recycling entities can reuse excess raw material and help counter risks in the disposal process.