Sharjah to feature as Guest of Honour at Mexico book fair

Line-up includes cultural shows, poetry readings and panel discussions

Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) yesterday revealed details of the emirate’s participation as Guest of Honour at the upcoming Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) in Mexico.

Known as ‘The Pearl of the West’ and ‘The City of Roses’, the Mexican city of Guadalajara is hosting Sharjah as the Guest of Honour of the 36th edition of the fair.

FIL is the largest book fair in Latin America, and this year takes place from November 26 to December 4.

The programme’s spectrum of events and activities will be held at a large pavilion. It features reading sessions, panel discussions, seminars as well as cultural, media and cinema symposiums.

Calligraphy highlight

Sharjah’s Department of Culture will be holding an event on Arabic calligraphyand the art will be further celebrated with the opening of the Arabic calligraphy exhibition’ in collaboration with The University of Guadalajara. The programme will bring together a host of Emirati and Arab authors and creatives.

Ahmad Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of the SBA, said: “This global celebration of Sharjah’s cultural project is the fruition of the wise vision of [His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah], who emphasises that the closest relations which bring the world’s civilisations together are evidently cultural relations in all its manifestations. This is why Sharjah, as the Guest of Honour at FIL this year, exemplifies the connections between Arab and Latin cultures and highlights the UAE’s unique creative identity through its renowned authors, artists and creatives.”