STARS DESCEND ON SHARJAH AS BOOK FAIR OPENS
The Sharjah International Book Fair, which brought 2,000 publishers under one roof, featuring 173 authors from 68 countries, opened at the Expo Centre yesterday |
The 38th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) opened at Expo Centre Sharjah yesterday. The book fair runs till November 10 and features 173 authors from 68 Arab and foreign countries.
Addressing local and international guests after officially opening the SIBF, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, said societies cannot flourish without freedom of expression, which must be allowed room to grow.
Dr Shaikh Sultan also commented on the emirate’s groundbreaking achievement of being named World Book Capital 2019 by Unesco. “One of the criteria discussed freedom of publishing and freedom of expression. There is a false perception that our region lacks these values. In fact, education and culture require freedom to be able to grow.”
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ahmad Al Ameri, chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, which organises SIBF, said national progress — even international relations — is impossible without investing in culture. To this end, he added, SIBF has become one of the world’s biggest book fairs and cultural events, attracting local and international thought leaders and authors.
Other speakers included Youmna Al Eid, Lebanese writer and critic, and a recipient of the Cultural Personality of the Year award.
Platform for women writers
She commended SIBF, saying that while it celebrates writers in general, it has also allowed a platform for women writers to be appreciated and given the means to express themselves through literature.
“It is of great pride for me that women today are being given the platform to write and publish. Women’s writings now have a place in every Arabic library, in exhibitions and she is now given a fair shot at achieving awards”, she said.
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UAE publishers among 2,000 from 81 nations
Dr Shaikh Sultan also honoured winners of various literary and publishing awards, including the Dh1.3 million Tarjuman, or translation award, won by Saudi translator Mohammad Hassan Alwan for translating a famous Italian book called Una Piccola Morte.
Creative screenwriter award
The best Emirati creative screenwriter award went to Saleh Karama Al Amri.
This year, Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk, American
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