With a selection of children’s authors, illustrators, publishers from the UAE and the region, as well as local cultural entities who will lead the activities of GoH Sharjah, the emirate’s pavilion at BCBF 2022 will also highlight key initiatives designed to raise capable young generations who cherish books and literature.
Sharjah’s participation will provide Emirati and Arab publishing professionals as well as the wider literary community with a key opportunity for peer-to-peer networking and cross-cultural dialogue with global publishing professionals.
Head of the Sharjah GoH Delegation and Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations (DGR), Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, said: “We are extremely proud of this achievement, which reinforces the emirate’s reputation as a place that has held a book in one hand and a child in the other throughout its 50-year developmental journey. We are delighted to showcase the emirate’s success story in putting the individual at the heart of our progress, especially the younger generations, who have made Sharjah the first city to twice receive the prestigious People-Friendly City titles. UNICEF Children and Youth. These accolades prove the effectiveness of our child-focused policies and our sustainable initiatives dedicated to creating a safe, open and nurturing environment for them to thrive.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “Sharjah is coming to Bologna not only with the intention of participating as a guest of honor at BCBF 2022, but also to share Emirati and Arab culture with all the world in Italy. The emirate is now carrying out a massive cultural project, thanks to the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which has resulted in the formation of strong bridges of friendship and exchange between us and the world. .”
The SBA President revealed that more than 30 writers, illustrators, artists and storytellers from the UAE and the Arab world will host panel discussions, workshops, reading and matchmaking sessions to highlight key Emirati experiences Arab States and the Arab region in support and promotion of children. and books for young adults, and exchange expertise and knowledge with their Italian and European counterparts, adding that he looks forward to establishing more cooperation between Arab and Italian publishers during the book fair.
As part of the exciting Sharjah Cultural Route at BCBF 2022, SBA will present 17 Arabic-Italian translations of children’s books by Emirati writers. To promote literature from the Arab region, SBA will host several hands-on children’s workshops and interactive storytelling sessions at the Sharjah Pavilion as well as Bologna’s main public library, Salaborsa. The Authority will also host two film screenings at the Testoni Ragazzi Theatre.
The emirate pavilion will include the participation of Sharjah Book Authority, Emirates Writers Union, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Publishing City, Sharjah Department of Culture, Sharjah Heritage Institute, Emirates Publishers Association, the UAE Board on Books for Young People, Kalimat Group , Kalimat Foundation, Knowledge Without Borders and 1001 Titles initiative.
