Sharjah pushes Arab literature into Latin America
Global interest in Arab literature
Commenting on the participation, Tamer Said, Director of the Sharjah Literary Agency, stated: 'Our participation in the Rio International Book Fair was a significant step toward building sustainable partnerships with Latin American publishing institutions. We witnessed a genuine interest in Arab literature from Brazilian publishers, opening up a promising opportunity to expand translation and distribution circles and introduce the voice of the Arab author to new readers and diverse cultural landscapes. At the Sharjah Literary Agency, we believe that building literary bridges is at the heart of our work, and investing in these key cultural events will make a long-lasting impact on Arab publishing globally.'
Exploring opportunities for translation and co-publishing
During the meetings with Brazilian publishers, the Agency discussed mechanisms for reciprocal translation and the possibilities of co-publishing, as well as how to professionally manage Arab authors' rights in Latin America. Future collaborations were also discussed with potential partners, laying the groundwork for new projects that aim to enhance the presence of Arab creativity in South America.
This participation is part of a broader strategic vision led by the Emirate of Sharjah to strengthen cultural exchange between the Arab world and Latin America by consolidating its presence on international platforms and fostering direct dialogue between publishing stakeholders on both sides.
The Sharjah Literary Agency, one of the initiatives of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), aims to empower Arab writers to access new markets and bolster the presence of Arab literary rights on global platforms. The Agency remains firmly committed to representing Arab creativity and expanding its reach on the international scene, contributing to sustainable bridges of cultural and knowledge exchange between peoples.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE a global leader in preserving historic art of Arabic calligraphy
14 Aug 2025 00:25 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)Art as beautiful as Arabic calligraphy deserves the global spotlight, and the UAE has been at the forefront of keeping this ancient art form alive amid the rapid developments of the modern world. On World Calligraphy Day, marked every second Wednesday of August, Aletihad highlights the significance of this artistic expression as a cultural treasure for the UAE and the Arab world. Arabic calligraphy was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2021, and the UAE is among the 16 countries that have made it happen. UNESCO described the art form as 'the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace and beauty.''The fluidity of Arabic script offers infinite possibilities, even within a single word, as letters can be stretched and transformed in numerous ways to create different motifs,' it said. Arabic calligraphy is more than just a writing technique: its flowing lines, curves, and complex forms represent centuries of artistic tradition, as well as the richness and elegance of the was born out of Arab speakers' need to develop the language and create letters and shapes that capture 'the spirit and culture of Arab and Islamic societies,' Abu Dhabi Culture said in a primer on its website. 'Over time, as the importance of the Arabic language grew, specialised art forms and calligraphy schools were established with innovative curricula,' it added. At a time when most writing needs are met by tapping away on screens and keyboards, the UAE ensures there remains a permanent space for the art of putting ink on paper and turning Arabic script into a masterpiece. The UAE has established itself as a leader in preserving and advancing Arabic calligraphy through numerous initiatives – including exhibitions and festivals – within the country and beyond.'This has encouraged new developments and innovations in calligraphy and other arts,' Abu Dhabi Culture said. The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi has been committed to supporting this art form since its early days. Through the years, it has organised events and activities that encourage development in the field. It has also set up a dedicated department for teaching the art. The Ministry of Culture, through awards like the prestigious Al Burda Award, has played a pivotal role in encouraging global participation and recognition of the organisations regularly hold workshops, competitions, and exhibitions, combining traditional techniques with modern resources. In 2023, more than 200 artists from around the world participated in the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, which was organised by Dubai beauty and development of Arabic script in visual art were emphasised by exhibitions such as the 'History of Arabic Calligraphy in the UAE' at Al Shindagha Museum and the 'Light Lines' photography entities in the country also ensure the art form remains relevant through impactful discussions and open dialogues. The 2024 panel discussion 'Arabic Calligraphy: Between Creativity and Renewal' at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library was one such effort that brought together well-known calligraphers and artists. Arabic calligraphy has evolved through time, from the geometric Kufic script to the elegant, flowing Naskh, and contemporary freestyle typefaces. While maintaining the discipline and internal logic of the art form, artists today experiment with both traditional and digital forms, developing new designs for branding, book design, posters, and commercial use. By actively supporting and celebrating this heritage, the UAE has not only safeguarded Arabic calligraphy but also elevated it on the global stage, establishing itself as a vibrant centre for creatives, artists, and calligraphers from around the world.
UAE Moments
11 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Mystery Tobacco Eau De Parfum
Emirati influencer Marwa Al Hashem and Saudi Influencer Daim Al Gaw showcase Mystery Tobacco, the Carolina Herrera Confidential fragrance bringing together the timeline elegance of the brand through the unique perspective of the rising Arab stars in the influencer world. The Carolina Herrera Confidential fragrance embodies the essence of sophistication and luxury, and the collaboration with Marwa Al Hashem and Daim Al Gaw adds a distinct Middle Eastern touch to this captivating fragrance. The regional shooting showcases the fusion of cultures, capturing the spirit of modern elegance and beauty. There is nothing as mysterious as an incomplete memory, half-suggested by a word, a color or a scent - Mystery Tobacco gives off that kind of magic. Its fruity notes and its smoky atmosphere evoke the story of Pepito Herrera, uncle of Reinaldo Herrera, one of the lavish characters that populate the memory of La Hacienda La Vega, the emblematic Caracas estate linked to the family where Carolina Herrera resided during part of her youth, and what later inspired her to create the namesake fashion brand. Those gardens and historic buildings – the foundation of this architectural complex dates from the sixteenth century – still kept the echo of the glittering guests, almost from other worlds, who had frequented it, from Princess Margaret and Prince Charles of England to Salvador Dalí or Christian Dior. However, from those stories she heard at family gatherings, Carolina A. Herrera, creative director of fragrances at Carolina Herrera, retained the fascination with the adventures of Uncle Pepito, a man born at the same time as the twentieth century and endowed with an unlimited passion for travel. "He was like the Phileas Fogg of the family; every time I sat in front of the world map that Dad had in his office and pointed to any point on the planet, someone told me that 'Uncle Pepito had been there,'" recalls Carolina A. Herrera. "From Egypt to Japan, from Patagonia to Alaska, from Turkey to Madagascar, there was always a story, a memory or an anecdote that referred to Pepito, a man of whom I barely remember a few features: he always dressed exceptionally elegantly, with a cross suit and English shoes, he knew several languages and he used to use a fragrance of vetiver whose wake was mixed with that of the blond tobacco he smoked in exquisitely designed pipes that he had collected on his travels around the world," he says. That was not only a picturesque figure, but a real influence for Carolina Herrera. "My mother always affirms that her passion for traveling comes from those stories that Pepito Herrera told her," explains Carolina A. Herrera. "Thanks to them he discovered the power of travel to broaden the mind and know the world." Since then and until today, the designer has traveled the entire planet trying to throw on each object, place and person the curious, unprejudiced and free look of Pepito Herrera. From those few features, composed with loose brushstrokes like the paintings of Impressionism, emerge the most persistent notes of Mystery Tobacco. In the background of the fragrance stand out the leaves of the tobacco plant. Its golden and smoky nuances made it a key ingredient in the high perfumery of the twenties and thirties. Here they join their strength to the exotic and colorful power of patchouli. That seductive alloy remains on the skin for hours, after having displayed the magic of davana – an aromatic herb very characteristic of India – and ginger in the top notes, and vetiver and tonka bean absolute in the heart. The result is an enveloping and powerful fragrance, multicolored and enigmatic at the same time, which evokes aromas of other times without renouncing an enormously contemporary and genderless sumptuousness. An eau de parfum as powerful and unique as those unique and bold personalities who live forever in the memory of those who knew them.
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88
Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim, famed for his critiques of political repression, neoliberalism and Western hegemony, has died at the age of 88, the culture ministry announced on Wednesday. Ibrahim "passed away today, leaving behind an immortal literary and humanitarian legacy," Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hanno said in a tribute, calling the writer a "pillar of modern Arabic literature". Born in Cairo in 1937, Ibrahim was famed around the Arab world as a chronicler of social injustice, known for his sparse, documentary-style prose and his fierce independence. His writings — which blurred the line between the personal and the political — captured the struggles of the Arab world in the postcolonial era, particularly those of his native Egypt. Arguably his most famous novel, "Zaat" (1992), tells the story of Egypt's modern history — from the overthrow of the monarchy in 1952 to the neoliberalism of the 1990s under president Hosni Mubarak -- through the eyes of an ordinary, middle-class woman. It was adapted into a prime-time television series in 2013, bringing Ibrahim's scathing portrayal of power to a new generation of Egyptians in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprising that ousted Mubarak. A dissident through and through, Ibrahim was first jailed for his leftist politics in 1959, under then president Gamal Abdel Nasser. His five years in prison would form the basis for his debut 1966 novel, "That Smell", which was initially banned. Ibrahim's renown later saw many of his works translated into English and French. In 2003, he refused to accept a prestigious literary prize from the Mubarak government charging that it "oppresses our people, protects corruption and allows the Israeli ambassador to remain while Israel kills and rapes". The last was a reference to alleged Israeli abuses in the occupied territories during the second Palestinian intifada or uprising. Among Ibrahim's most celebrated works are "The Committee" (1981), a Kafkaesque allegory of bureaucracy and surveillance, and "Stealth" (2007), a semi-autobiographical account of his childhood during World War II. Generations of Arab writers found inspiration in his minimalist style, heavy with irony and rooted in everyday life.
