Sharjah Book Authority builds on close Gulf relationships during Doha Book Fair

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has concluded its participation in the 26th edition of the Doha International Book Fair held at the Qatar National Convention Center, achieving great success in promoting its events, grants and prizes. The SBA received many requests for participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair that will be organized by the SBA in November of 2016.

The Doha Book Fair had participation from 427 publishers from 26 Arab and foreign countries giving the SBA the opportunity to communicate with a large number of publishing representatives, promoting its presence in the Gulf and the Arab region. Turkey was selected as guest of honour at the fair and therefore had a large number of Turkish writers, intellectuals, and poets who became acquainted with the activities of the SBA and demonstrated their desire to participate in them. 

HE Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the SBA said: “We are working on strengthening connections with other Gulf countries, taking our relations to more advanced levels. We are constantly seeking to ensure that our participation in all the fairs and conferences is optimized to gain maximum benefit for the Authority and the UAE in general.  We highlighted the translation grant we offer as well as the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) taking place in April in order to promote them amongst the audience. The Doha fair allowed us to meet more publishers and people involved in the book industry, in the hope that they will join us in Sharjah.”

Al Ameri added that the UAE will witness celebrations in 2016 to mark the Year of Reading recently announced by the leadership which will place greater focus and emphasis on all book and publishing activity. He added that he hoped neighbourly Gulf countries would be able to participate in the activities that will be organized next year. 

The visitors to the SBA stand at the Doha book fair learnt more about the upcoming editions of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival and the Sharjah International Book Fair, as well as asked questions about participating in cultural, intellectual, and artistic programs associated with the events. 

Visitors also inquired about the prizes offered by the authority to publishers, authors and illustrators, and asked about information regarding the translation grants which seek to advance translation activities and encourage dialogue between cultures.  

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) was established in December 2014 by Emiri decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. SBA is tasked with encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people from different countries and cultures.