Latest news with #SharjahInternationalBookFair
Sharjah 24
19-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Bodour Al Qasimi announces Greece as Guest of Honour of 44th SIBF
Her remarks came during the signing ceremony announcing Greece as the Guest of Honour for the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). The agreement was formalised by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; and Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic. The signing took place at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Centre in Greece. A place where the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said: 'Sharjah's cultural journey continues to be guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Today, the emirate carries this vision forward by embracing Greek culture. We believe flourishing civilisations are built on dialogue and exchange across geographical boundaries and Sharjah remains committed to this approach'. She added: 'Greece's participation at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair is an exciting opportunity for us all to discover the shared origins of our myths and tales, and other common influences that have shaped human consciousness'. She explained that SBA is working to ensure the 44th edition of SIBF becomes a milestone event, spotlighting a nation that, together with the Arab world, has helped shape the course of civilisation. The Chairperson concluded: 'Sharjah is reinterpreting the past as a tool for self-understanding and engagement with the broader world, and hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, just as we have done with those of Marrakech, Cordoba, Seoul, Rome, and other distinguished capitals at SIBF. With this, we continue to reinforce the book fair's role as a global platform where collective memory intersects, and the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue.' An evolving intellectual dialogue at every edition of SIBF Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'In line with His Highness's vision to champion global cultural exchange, hosting Greece as Guest of Honour at SIBF 2025 adds to the fair's distinguished record of international partnerships. It presents a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's most influential civilisations, whose legacy continues to shape human thought. Each edition of the fair seeks to open new cultural horizons and foster meaningful intellectual exchange rooted in diversity.' Al Ameri added: 'SIBF has grown from a cultural event into a global hub for publishing and literary innovation, attracting publishers and thought leaders worldwide. Guided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's leadership, it has become a versatile knowledge platform that connects readers with authors, enriches the publishing industry, and reaffirms Sharjah's status among the world's leading international book fairs.' The cultural pathway between Greece and the UAE further enriched Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of Greece, noted during the signing ceremony: 'We meet today in a spirit of friendship and collaboration that has long defined the relationship between Greece and the UAE. Our presence in Sharjah stems from the dedicated efforts of the Minister of Culture, who has worked to forge a strong foundation for cooperation and a vibrant cultural exchange linking Greece and the UAE. This path is enriched through language, literature, poetry, publications, events, exhibitions and a wide range of cultural initiatives.' He added: 'Our cultural cooperation with SIBF deepens the bond between our nations and peoples. We are curating a rich and engaging programme that showcases the depth of Greek literary and publishing talent, in line with Greece's broader vision of openness, development and expanding global engagement. We deeply thank SBA for its productive collaboration and look forward to building on this dynamic and inspiring partnership.' The best of Greek culture, literature, art and gastronomy at SIBF 2025 As Guest of Honour at the 44th SIBF, Greece will present a diverse programme of cultural and literary events highlighting its heritage's depth and richness. The line-up will span classical philosophy, theatre, poetry, contemporary literature, and visual arts. It will also host leading Greek authors, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as music and art performances inspired by Greek traditions. Educational segments will also spotlight major milestones in Greek cultural history and its enduring contributions to human civilisation.
Gulf Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Greece is Guest of Honour at 44th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair, says Sheikha Bodour
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), emphasised that Greece, with its rich historical legacy and global cultural influence, stands as a vital pillar in the ongoing story of human creativity. She highlighted that the nation, which inspired Homer's epic works, shaped Socratic ideals of virtue, and erected theatres that continue to ignite artistic imagination, embodies a timeless source of knowledge and enlightenment for scholars, thinkers, and writers across centuries. Her remarks came during the signing ceremony announcing Greece as the Guest of Honour for the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). The agreement was formalised by Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; and Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic. Dignitaries at the event. The signing took place at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Centre in Greece. A place where the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue Sheikha Bodour said: 'Sharjah's cultural journey continues to be guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Today, the emirate carries this vision forward by embracing Greek culture. We believe flourishing civilisations are built on dialogue and exchange across geographical boundaries and Sharjah remains committed to this approach'. She added: 'Greece's participation at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair is an exciting opportunity for us all to discover the shared origins of our myths and tales, and other common influences that have shaped human consciousness'. She explained that SBA is working to ensure the 44th edition of SIBF becomes a milestone event, spotlighting a nation that, together with the Arab world, has helped shape the course of civilisation. The Chairperson concluded: 'Sharjah is reinterpreting the past as a tool for self-understanding and engagement with the broader world, and hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, just as we have done with those of Marrakech, Cordoba, Seoul, Rome, and other distinguished capitals at SIBF. Crowds at a previous edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. Hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, says Bodour. File With this, we continue to reinforce the book fair's role as a global platform where collective memory intersects, and the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue.' An evolving intellectual dialogue at every edition of SIBF Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'In line with His Highness's vision to champion global cultural exchange, hosting Greece as Guest of Honour at SIBF 2025 adds to the fair's distinguished record of international partnerships. It presents a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's most influential civilisations, whose legacy continues to shape human thought. Each edition of the fair seeks to open new cultural horizons and foster meaningful intellectual exchange rooted in diversity.' Al Ameri added: 'SIBF has grown from a cultural event into a global hub for publishing and literary innovation, attracting publishers and thought leaders worldwide. "Guided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's leadership, it has become a versatile knowledge platform that connects readers with authors, enriches the publishing industry, and reaffirms Sharjah's status among the world's leading international book fairs.' The cultural pathway between Greece and the UAE further enriched Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of Greece, noted during the signing ceremony: 'We meet today in a spirit of friendship and collaboration that has long defined the relationship between Greece and the UAE. Our presence in Sharjah stems from the dedicated efforts of the Minister of Culture, who has worked to forge a strong foundation for cooperation and a vibrant cultural exchange linking Greece and the UAE. This path is enriched through language, literature, poetry, publications, events, exhibitions and a wide range of cultural initiatives.' He added: 'Our cultural cooperation with SIBF deepens the bond between our nations and peoples. We are curating a rich and engaging programme that showcases the depth of Greek literary and publishing talent, in line with Greece's broader vision of openness, development and expanding global engagement. We deeply thank SBA for its productive collaboration and look forward to building on this dynamic and inspiring partnership.' The best of Greek culture, literature, art and gastronomy at SIBF 2025 As Guest of Honour at the 44th SIBF, Greece will present a diverse programme of cultural and literary events highlighting its heritage's depth and richness. The line-up will span classical philosophy, theatre, poetry, contemporary literature, and visual arts. It will also host leading Greek authors, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as music and art performances inspired by Greek traditions. Educational segments will also spotlight major milestones in Greek cultural history and its enduring contributions to human civilisation.
Gulf Today
02-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Book Authority, Invest bank tie up on children's storybook
As part of its continued efforts to promote cultural awareness among young people, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has signed a partnership with Invest bank to develop a children's storybook focused on financial literacy. The initiative is a collaboration with the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), a key SBA programme that supports sustainable publishing in the UAE. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 16th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival by Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives at SBA, and Humaida Al Khalsan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Invest bank, in the presence of Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and Edris Al Rafi, CEO of Invest bank. Through this partnership, Invest bank will sponsor the production of a storybook for children aged eight and above, introducing key financial concepts in a simple and engaging way. The book will be launched at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair, in collaboration with a UAE-based publisher who graduated from the Onshur programme. Commenting on the partnership, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'This partnership reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to bolster the role of books in human development and to cultivate content that fosters awareness from an early age. The authority remains committed to developing initiatives that embed books into the fabric of children's daily lives. By providing young readers with the tools to ignite their curiosity, expand their imagination, and deepen their understanding, we shape a future generation that is informed, inspired and imaginative. Through this collaboration, we offer an enriching reading experience that speaks to the realities of children's lives while seamlessly blending fun with meaning, and language with creativity." Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri added: 'We believe that human development begins in childhood, and that financial literacy is an essential part of that foundation, no less important than reading or general knowledge. This partnership reflects SBA's commitment to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to empower future generations through books and knowledge. Our collaboration with Invest bank aims to offer a creative model that combines culture and economic awareness in a format that resonates with both children and the wider community.' On his part, Edris Al Rafi, CEO of Invest bank, said: 'We are proud to partner with SBA on an initiative that introduces children to the fundamentals of financial literacy in an innovative and engaging way. Equipping young people with financial skills from an early age is not a luxury, but a necessity for building a more informed and sustainable society. At Invest bank, we believe that real investment begins with the child, and that combining financial knowledge with creativity and imagination lays the foundation for a generation capable of making smart, responsible financial decisions.' Onshur, established under the directives of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, is a flagship initiative that reflects Sharjah's commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and supporting the growth of emerging publishers. Launched by SBA in collaboration with the Emirates Publishers Association and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, the fund is designed to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the publishing sector. It offers three development tracks — Launch, Scale, and Disrupt — tailored to support publishers at different stages of their professional journey.
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Book Authority, Invest Bank partner to bring financial literacy to children
The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has signed a partnership with Invest Bank to produce a children's storybook on financial literacy, as part of its efforts to promote cultural and educational awareness among young readers. The initiative is supported by the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), which champions sustainable publishing in the UAE. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 16th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival by Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives at SBA, and Humaida Al Khalsan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Invest Bank, in the presence of SBA CEO Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri and Invest Bank CEO Edris Al Rafi. Targeting children aged eight and above, the storybook will introduce key financial concepts in a simplified, engaging format. It is set to launch at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair and will be published by a UAE-based publisher who graduated from the Onshur programme. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri said the initiative aligns with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to foster human development through books. 'Financial literacy is just as important as reading and general knowledge. Through this collaboration, we present a model that combines culture and economic awareness in a format that resonates with children and families,' he said. Edris Al Rafi added, 'Investing in financial education from an early age is essential for building a more informed society. This partnership allows us to introduce children to financial principles through storytelling, creativity and imagination.' Onshur, launched by SBA under the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, supports emerging publishers through development tracks designed to build a resilient, knowledge-driven publishing ecosystem in Sharjah.
Sharjah 24
19-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
EPA participates in 'Rabat International Book Fair'
This comes as part of its ongoing efforts to expand the presence of Emirati literature on international stages The Association's participation comes as part of its ongoing efforts to expand the presence of Emirati literature on international stages and enhance opportunities for collaboration with publishing professionals in the Arab world. The book fair organised annually by the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, is one of the region's most prominent literary events. This year, Sharjah will be recognised as the guest of honour at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, affirming the close cultural ties between the UAE and Morocco and continuing the mutual appreciation demonstrated by Morocco's hosting as the guest of honour at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2024. The Emirati publishing delegation participating in the book fair includes Emirati publisher Amira BuKadra, Co-Founder of Ghaf Publishing and Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Ajyal for Publishing & Distribution. The presence of Emirati publishers at the book fair reflects their keenness to explore new horizons of cooperation with regional and international publishers, and to introduce their publications that reflect the diversity and innovation in the Emirati publishing scene. Deep gratitude Rashid Alkous, Executive Director of EPA, expressed his pride in participating in the book fair, extending his deep gratitude to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and honorary president of the Emirates Publishers Association, for her continuous support of the Emirati publishing industry and her pioneering role in enhancing the status of Emirati books on the international stage. He commented: "Our participation in the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair affirms our commitment to supporting Emirati publishers and opening new doors for cultural dialogue and exchange of expertise with our partners in Morocco and the Arab world, especially with Sharjah being chosen as this year's guest of honour; a tribute that reflects the emirate's pioneering role as a global cultural centre." He further added, "The book fair represents a strategic platform for exchanging expertise and discussing challenges and opportunities in the publishing industry. We look forward to enriching cultural dialogue and supporting the sustainability efforts of independent publishers, thus contributing to the development of the Arab publishing sector as a whole." Alkous stressed the importance of transforming such participations into sustainable platforms to expand the UAE's cultural influence. He said, "At the Emirates Publishers Association, we work to ensure that our participation in international forums serves as an authentic outlet for cultural communication and showcases the richness of the UAE's creative scene. Our presence today at the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair is a celebration of Emirati culture and the spirit of Arab cooperation, which contributes to building a prosperous future for the publishing industry in the region." To participate in a discussion session The Emirati publishing delegation will participate in a discussion session at the book fair, moderated by Rashid Al Kous, with the participation of Amira BuKadra, Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan, Tarek Saliki, President of the Moroccan Publishers Association, and Safaa Wali Publisher at Fennec Publishing House in Casablanca. The session will address three main topics namely, 'Ways to enhance book distribution in the region', 'Book pricing mechanisms and the sustainability of independent publishers', and 'The role of government initiatives in supporting local writers and developing the industry.' With this unique participation, the Emirates Publishers Association renews its unwavering commitment to empowering Emirati publishers, enhancing the UAE's position on the global publishing map, and strengthening bridges of cultural cooperation, thereby enriching the Arab and international literary scene.
