Sharjah bids farewell to New Delhi World Book Fair
Sharjah has showcased the unique features of Arab and Emirati culture in the Indian capital, as the guest of honour at the 27th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair, NDWBF 2019.
The nine-day book fair, which began on 5th January and concludes today, saw the participation of a host of international authors, intellectuals, as well as leading literary and cultural entities.
Sharjah’s cultural delegation was led by Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations, and included prominent oficials of cultural and academic entities in Sharjah.
The NDWBF organisers, the National Book Trust launched the Hindi and English translations of the novel Bibi Fatima and the King’s Sons by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah at the fair’s opening on Jan.5.
The Sharjah pavilion at the book fair was set up by the Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, and featured the emirate’s prominent children’s publishers, and other cultural and academic entities, including the Emirates Writers Union (EWU), Emirates Publishers Association, Sharjah Department of Culture, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies, Sharjah Media Corporation, UAE Board on Books for Young People, Knowledge without Borders, “1001 Titles” initiative, Al Qasimi Publications, and Kalimat Group.
Visitors to the fair lined up to have copies of 57 Hindi translations of works by Emirati authors at a book signing ceremony. In partnership with the EWU, the SBA translated these literary works contributed by Emirati poets, novelists, researchers and playwrights.
The Sharjah pavilion hosted hundreds of Indian visitors at their special calligraphy booth, where Emirati calligrapher, Khalid Al Jallaf presented them with artworks depicting their names and other messages, written in several forms of Arabic calligraphy including Thuluth, Diwani and Naskh Islamic scripts. This event was organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture in continuation of Sharjah’s efforts to promote Arab and Islamic culture around the world.
Crowds gathered at New Delhi’s key landmarks, such as the India Gate, malls like the DLF Promenade Mall and NDWBF grounds in Pragati Maidan to enjoy traditional Emirati dances like the Al Ayala and other heritage shows, which were organised by Sharjah Heritage Institute as part of Sharjah’s rich cultural programme at the NDWBF 2019.
Sharjah also organised a plethora of seminars, literary discussions, and talks on the growing scope of publishing in the UAE, poetry recitation evenings featuring dozens of Arab and Emirati authors, intellectuals and artists.
Through more than 25 events, the emirate brought the cultural vision of Sharjah that lays special emphasis on bringing nations and cultures together through vibrant interactions and exchange of books and knowledge.
The cultural panels and sessions hosted at Sharjah’s pavilion discussed an array of topics, such as “The challenges of translating Arabic language into international languages”, “The history of addressing India throughout the ages as presented in the biographies and travel literature by several Arab authors and explorers” and “The history of Indian presence in 20th century Emirati poetry”.
The seventh edition of CEO Speak, the irst forum in the publishing industry in India for publishers was held on the sidelines of NDWBF. Organised by the NBT and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FICCI, the “India-emirati Forum” offered publishers a common platform to explore emerging business opportunities and discuss shared challenges and how to face them.