Patriotic spirit of UAE’S National Day prevails in Mexico book fair
Representatives of entities from Sharjah and visitors to the Guest of Honour Pavilion commemorated National Day by hoisting the national flag and playing the UAE’S anthem
The patriotic spirit of the UAE’S 51st National Day celebrations echoed through the halls and stands of the 36th Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico, where Sharjah’s Guest of Honour Pavilion paid homage to local heritage and history with a wide range of activities to mark the occasion.
Dressed in traditional Emirati atire, representatives of entities from Sharjah and visitors to the Guest of Honour Pavilion commemorated National Day by hoisting the national flag and playing the UAE’S anthem.
The celebrations were also marked with the distribution of UAE flags throughout the pavilion, asserting Sharjah’s cultural project at the book fair aimed at strengthening relationships between Emirati and Arab cultures with their Mexican and Latin American counterparts.
During the celebration, the Sharjah delegation introduced visitors to the country’s heritage, including the Founders of the Union, the UAE’S history, and educating visitors to the book fair about the union’s formation on December 2, 1971.
The National Day celebrations also showcased folk performances that atracted the fair’s attendees to the Sharjah Guest of Honour Pavilion to partake in a diverse set of activities that reflected the authentic culture of the nation.
During the festive activities, publishers as well as representatives of cultural institutions flocked to the pavilion to congratulate the emirate on National Day and praised Sharjah’s efforts in representing Emirati and Arab culture in the largest book fair in Latin America.
Mexican author Zeth Arellano said that “This year, the Guadalajara International Book Fair spoke Arabic”, describing the impact that Sharjah had as the Guest of Honour at the 36th edition of the biggest publishing event in Latin America.
The massive success of the emirate’s participation was also asserted by the thousands of pavilion visitors, who said that Sharjah’s diverse cultural events were the highlight of this year’s event.
Margret, a visitor wearing the traditional Emirati women’s dress, said: “I explored the whole of the book fair and being an art expert, the emirate’s pavilion design, in addition to the artwork on display, including calligraphy and children’s book illustrations, really caught my atention. Once I finished touring the book fair, I had to return to Sharjah’s pavilion to attend the activities. I felt compelled to get this exquisite traditional dress, because its colours are similar to ours.”
Another visitor, Patricia Villarid, noted that Sharjah’s pavilion enabled her to explore foreign cultures, saying, “We usually visit the book fair to purchase books and atend sessions. However, this year, it felt like we travelled to the Middle East and gained insight into their cultures, customs and arts. Now we are looking forward to visiting the UAE in future!”
Adding to Villarid’s statement, Evan said: “The presence of Emirati and Arab culture as well as heritage in Mexico this year taught us a lot. Despite the language barrier, we learned about Emirati history, literature, art and their amazing heritage at the Sharjah pavilion. I even had a Henna drawing made on my hand that will serve as a reminder of the beauty and generosity of Emirati women.”
As for visitor, Adriana Padilla, she said Sharjah’s activities brought her closer to the Emirati culture, explaining: “During my tour inside the
Sharjah pavilion, I loved the Arabic calligraphy exhibition, the dedicated section for heritage and another one showcasing Spanish translated works of Emirati authors. The musical concerts that combined Latin music with an Emirati flavour were incredible.”
Sharjah’s House of Wisdom (HOW) joined the emirate’s delegation participating as a Guest of Honour in the 36th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) 2022 in Mexico, which takes place from 26 November through 4 December. Through this most prominent annual cultural event in Mexico and the largest book fair in the Spanish-speaking world, the cultural hub of Sharjah seeks to showcase its experience, mission and objectives and how they contribute to the emirate’s vision and cultural project.
As part of the Sharjah’s pavilion in FIL, the HOW displays nine titles from the precious collection of German Professor Richard Etinghausen, a prominent Islamic arts researcher. The titles on display are part of a rare collection of 12,000 books donated to the HOW by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.