Sharjah: In its ongoing quest to nurture new relationships and expand existing ones, a delegation from the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has met with several high-profile, influential publishers and literary agents at the Turin International Book Fair, with a view to exploring future avenues of cooperation and joint ventures.
Held annually in May, the Turin International Book Fair draws a large number of exhibitors, experts and professionals in the book industry due to its rich programme of activities as it hosts more than 1,000 conferences, meetings and discussion sessions involving in excess of 2,000 speakers and guests, including Nobel Prize winners, scientists, philosophers, historians and artists.
During the fair, one of Italy’s largest trade events for books, the SBA representatives discussed possible collaboration with the Italian literati through the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which is held annually in November, and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), which is held annually in April.
In a meeting with Elena Pasoli, director of the Bologna Book Fair, the delegation gave a detailed picture of SIBF’s opportunities and the publishers and authors it hosts as a key cultural event in the Arab world and emphasised Sharjah’s internationally recognised status as a cultural hub in the Arab world and the Middle East.
Ahmad Al Ameri, chairman of SBA, said: “During its participation in Turin International Book Fair, the SBA presented the aims and strategies that form part of the vision of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who stresses the importance of openness to Western culture and deepening relations with the West in order to realise his vision for a dialogue of diverse cultures, civilisations and societies.”
He added: “The SBA’s participation strives to build on the success of its presence in other events to create a base of international relationships between the Arab world and European countries.”
Established in December 2014, Sharjah Book Authority is tasked with highlighting the significant role of writers and their influence in promoting community awareness in view of the technological advancements and diversity of knowledge sources. It also aims to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general, and the publishing, printing, translation, documentation and children’s books sectors in particular.
