The Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF, an affiliate of the Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, is gearing up to participate in the 46th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, set to begin this coming Wednesday with Saudi Arabia participating as the Guest of Honour.
The Cairo Book Fair Administration has selected Mohammed Abduh, Egyptian Islamic jurist, religious scholar, and liberal reformer, as the key personality of this edition in recognition of his enlightenment role throughout several generations.
The SIBF Management seeks to make the best use of its participation to network with publishers, literary figures and men of thought, and visitors to the Cairo book exhibition in order to familiarise them with the Sharjah International Book Fair and its upcoming edition, which will take place this year from November 4th-14th and encourage them to contribute to the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, due to be held on 22nd of April.
SIBF will be represented by a delegation led by Fadil Hussain, Deputy General-Coordinator of SIBF, Faisal Al Naboodah, Sales Officer - International, and Zaher El Sousi, Sales Executive - Arabia at SIBF.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, said, "Cultural relations between the UAE and Egypt enjoy special attention and direct support from H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of Egypt's high profile and distinguished position in culture, and the need for SIBF to always be present at cultural exhibitions and events held in Egypt, and facilitate the participation of Egyptian publishers in the Sharjah Book Fair." Al Ameri added, "Our participation in the Cairo Book Fair is the largest ever in Arab exhibitions, as we seek through it to strengthen ties and connections with Egyptian, Arab and foreign publishers, cultural and intellectual figures, and media personalities participating in the book fair. We will make the best use of this participation to exchange expertise with them and benefit from the best practices in the field of organising book fairs, which will in turn contribute to the development of our activities and programmes, in our quest to strengthen and develop cultural work for the benefit of all professionals in the publishing industry. " The SIBF stand in the Cairo Book Fair will help introduce publishers and visitors to the upcoming edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, and register the participation of Egyptian, Arab, and foreign publishers in its annual Professional Programme as well as the upcoming conference of the American Library Association, ALA, which is set to be hosted by Sharjah.
It will also promote the Translation Grant offered by SIBF to encourage translation from and into the Arabic language, as well its annual awards dedicated to publishers, authors, and illustrators.
Source: WAM