Sharjah bags title of World Book Capital; brings honour to region
sharjah — The Sharjah’s dedication in promoting a culture of reading among residents has witnessed a groundbreaking achievement for the UAE and the Arab world. The emirate has just been crowned with the prestigious World Book Capital title for 2019, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Sharjah is now the 19th city to become World Book Capital.
Since 2001, Unesco has been selecting a World Book Capital every year on the grounds of certain criteria, where the title is awarded to the city, which shows continued excellence in charting a cultural programme of activities throughout the year to promote reading and books focusing on grassroot community involvement.
The honour is a recognition of Sharjah’s pioneering role in supporting and expanding the local
It is a proud moment to be recognised on a global scale for literary excellence.” Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, president, EPA
and regional publishing industries, making reading an intrinsic cultural practice, as well as embracing intercultural, knowledgebased dialogue.
A committee of Unesco experts reached the decision at a meeting held at the headquarters of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) at La Haye.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, president of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), head of Sharjah’s World Book Capital Organising Committee, said it was a “proud” moment to be recognised on a “global scale for literary excellence”.
Sheikha Bodour said: “This signals a fruition of the momentous project that was established four decades ago by the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.”
She added that Sheikh Sultan believes reading acts as a strong intercultural dialogue to advance local communities. “It has led to the establishment of a tolerant, culture-loving society in Sharjah.”
The reading calendar
Sharjah’s annual cultural calendar is packed with programmes and activities related to reading.
It hosts more than 1,500 publishers from across the world at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). Another premier cultural event is the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. The festival features celebrated international authors and attracts over 300,000 visitors annually.
Sheikha Bodour launched the ‘Kitabi Al Awal’ (My First Book) initiative, where 5,000 book hampers were gifted to expectant mothers across more than 60 healthcare centres and medical clinics in the UAE.
Sharjah is the first emirate in the UAE that established a formal school and public library. Now it was chosen as World Book Capital owing to the diversity of its yearlong cultural programmes, which stood out among the other entries competing for the 2019 title. Designated as the Unesco World Book Capital 2019, Sharjah will be rolling out a wide range of activities over the year. Special committees will be formed to organise them.
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