Sharjah Ruler launches Emirati Book Fair, signs a publication

The Ruler of Sharjah signed the new book and kindly gifted a number of signed copies to senior Emirati officials, intellectuals and writers…reports Asian Lite News

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, launched Wednesday evening, His Highness’s latest historical book, issued by Al Qasimi Publications, titled “The Struggle of the Zend Princes and the Demise of the King”, during his inauguration of the second edition of the Emirati Book Fair, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), in cooperation with the Emirates Writers Union, at the SBA’s headquarters.

The Ruler of Sharjah signed the new book and kindly gifted a number of signed copies to senior Emirati officials, intellectuals and writers.

The book, which comprises three chapters with indexes and an explanatory appendix, is a qualitative addition to the path of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s unfathomable historical research with semantics, which, once again, enriches the cognitive importance of reading history, and rediscovering the extended formation of societies, from different cultures of the world, all of which represent a rich diversity that enriches the permanent human question about identity and existence, and the dimensions of the civilisational formation of the region.

In his new historical book, Sheikh Sultan relies on narrating the facts of history and dealing with them by study and analysis in order to explore their scientific and historical value, strong foundations and distinguishing characteristics. The book is based on the methodology of comparison and contrast between historical accounts and events, relying on correct and authentic documents in rebuilding the historical event and reading the past with a scrutinising and investigative eye seeking honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Following the signing, Sheikh Sultan toured the various pavilions and sections of the fair, which includes a number of participations from local publishing houses specialised in publishing the Emirati book, inspecting the various modern publications it houses that present the works of local writers in various literary, cultural, scientific and other fields.

Sharjah Ruler was briefed on the various cultural and literary exhibits of the pavilion of the Emirates Writers Union, where he acquainted himself with the pavilion’s new publications for a group of the Union’s authors and writers, and the efforts of the union to support and motivate local authors and develop their writing talents.

Continuing his tour, H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah visited the pavilions of Kalimat Group, the Emirates Publishers Association, the Platform Project, the Medad Publishing and Distribution, the Al Hudhud Publishing and Distribution, the Kuttab Publishing, and the Poetry Academy, where His Highness was briefed on the exhibits and ways to develop Emirati book publishing.

In its second edition, the Emirati Book Fair presents 970 publications and 1,400 titles for a large number of Emirati writers and authors in various fields of knowledge and science, with the participation of 26 publishing houses, institutions and local cultural initiatives.

The exhibition seeks to create an integrated cultural movement around the Emirati book and its authors, and to encourage new generations to be present in the cultural arena and develop their writing skills in various forms of creativity such as story, novel, poetry, article and other arts of writing. The exhibition also opens the door for all members of society to be present and acquire books of local writers, and enhance their presence in literary forums, as well as satisfying the hobbies and talents of research and reading.

The book fair hosts panel discussions and poetry evenings led by renowned Emirati authors and intellectuals. The fair will bring together Ali Al Abdan; Dr. Hamad Ben Saray; Shaikha Al Mutairi; Ahmad Al Assam; Amal Al Sahlawi; Awad bin Hasoum Al Darmaki; Salha Obaid; Eman Al Yousuf; Alia Al Mansoori; and Mona Alraisi, and other cultural figures, to discuss several cultural topics including the Emirati writer’s presence on the global scene.

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The four-day event, which runs until April 24, will provide a platform for publishers, authors, and intellectuals to network, highlight new titles by emerging writers, and shed light on the creative journeys of the UAE’s literary talents. It will also cover various cultural topics apart from spotlighting the UAE’s thriving cultural scene.

The book fair will promote local content of every genre such as academic books, novels, historical titles and children’s literature.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA); Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office; Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development; and Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, and a number of heads of local departments, officials, writers and media professionals. (WAM)