Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harasi (R) with Fadil Hussain Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harasi, Chairman of Oman's Public Authority of Radio and TV, has praised the intellectual and cultural output of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as Sharjah's exceptional experience in hosting and organising cultural events and exhibitions.
Al Harasi visited the SIBF pavilion at the 19th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair where he received a copy of Sheikh Dr Sultan's book Hadith Al Zakira' (Discourse from Memory), from Fadil Hussain, Deputy General-Coordinator of SIBF.
Fadil Hussain stressed that SIBF's Management gives book fairs held in GCC countries a priority on the list of its foreign participations, as SIBF is keen to strongly participate in all GCC book fairs due the brotherly relations between the UAE and its fellow GCC countries. He added that publishers from the Gulf region are given special attention during their participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Professional Programme held on its sidelines.
The Sharjah International Book Fair also strives to connect with readers, cultural and intellectual figures, and media personalities, to introduce them to the various activities and events on its agenda, as well as to the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, which will kick off in April.
The Muscat Book Fair was inaugurated by Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harasi in the presence of Haitham bin Tareq Al Saeed, Omani Minister of Heritage and Culture, Dr Abdul Monem bin Mansour Al Hasani, Omani Minister of Information, and a number of officials and intellectuals.
Running until 8 March, the Muscat Book Fair is attended by more than 570 publishers from 25 countries. The fair features a range of cultural and intellectual seminars, theatrical and art shows, and workshops designed for all ages.
Hundreds of authors, readers, publishers and journalists visited the SIBF stand during the first five days of the Muscat Book Fair, many of whom showed great interest in participating in SIBF's programmes as they asked for more information about how to participate in the Sharjah Book Fair, as well as about registration and booking to reserve exhibition areas, while others inquired about the translation grants offered by SIBF as part of its Translation Grant Fund, supported by the Sharjah Government.
They also inquired about events and activities organised by the Emirate of Sharjah as part of the Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital 2014 Celebrations.
During the current week, the Sharjah International Book Fair will also participate in the Riyadh International Book Fair, which is due to be held from 4-14 March, under the theme "The Book and Civilisation", with the participation of hundreds of Arab and foreign publishing houses
Source: WAM