Photos: Sharjah pavilion at Guadalajara International Book Fair 2022 in Mexico

Sharjah's iconic House of Wisdom (HoW) joined the emirate's delegation participating as a Guest of Honour in the 36th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) 2022 in Mexico, which takes place from 26 November through 4 December. Through this most prominent annual cultural event in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking world's largest book fair, Sharjah's cultural hub seeks to showcase its experience, mission and objectives and how they contribute to the emirate's vision and cultural project.

The titles on display are part of a rare collection of 12,000 books donated to the HoW by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, covering a wide variety of topics on Islamic arts and architecture in more than 10 languages, including Arabic, English, German, Japanese, Urdu and Russian.

Mexican visitors and guests at the 36th Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), the leading cultural event in the Spanish-speaking world, discovered the spirit of Emirati cultural heritage with live performances of a wide range of traditional Emirati songs and dances led by the Sharjah National Band under the Sharjah Institute for Heritage.

The immersive cultural experience including live music and traditional performances offering insights into the UAE’s literature, music, heritage, and art, and drew large crowds of visitors to the Sharjah pavilion, which showcases the experience and expertise of several cultural entities in the emirate.

Visitors at the book fair enjoyed the vibrant rhythm of Emirati songs as the band, clad in traditional Emirati outfits, wowed the audience with music played on occasion and songs that were once used to welcome fishermen, pearl divers and travellers from across the country. The band’s music represented the local culture from the desert and coastal areas to the mountainous regions of the emirate.

Visitors at the fair joined the Sharjah National Band as they performed the Al Ayyala, Al Noban, Al Liwa and Al Habban to accompany drums.

People visit the "Sharjah" hallway during the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico. Sharjah is the guest of honour at the book fair, which runs until December 4 and is held in Guadalajara, popularly known as 'The City of Roses,'.

The celebration of Sharjah’s cultural project at the largest book fair in Latin America also introduced visitors to the legacy and the ongoing achievements of the creative movement in the UAE and the wider Arab region.

Sharjah’s cultural and educational landmarks have been prominently displayed at the stand of Mexico’s largest bookstore chain, Gandhi Bookstores, at the ongoing 36th Guadalajara International Book Fair.

The walls of the Gandhi Bookstores are emblazoned in distinctive curves, lines and swirls of Arabic calligraphy, and the name of the Mexican bookstore is also written in Arabic. Showcased at the stand are blown-up picture of Al Hisn Sharjah, built in 1823 as the residence of the Al Qawasim ruling family; Sharjah Mosque, an abiding symbol of faith with exquisite Arab and Islamic architecture; and Al Qasimia University, a multicultural, academic beacon in Sharjah.

Sharjah’s Guest of Honour pavilion is located at the main entrance of FIL 2022 in 'The City of Roses', Guadalajara in Mexico

Emirati publishers, through Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), are gaining access to new markets with their active participation at the ongoing 36th Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico. Three EPA publishers also participated in a panel discussion at the nine-day Mexican book fair titled ‘The publishing market and business opportunities in the Arab world’, which addressed the publishing trends and consumer behaviour in both Arab and the Spanish-speaking markets. Rashid Mohammed Al Kous, EPA executive director, said: “We highly value such international collaborations which came true thanks to the emirate of Sharjah’s great effort of being hosted by major fairs around the world as Guest of Honour. These events are platforms to introduce the Emirati and Arab culture, by familiarising the new readers to the unknown Emirati books of different genres.”

Over the course of nine days, Guadalajara, the cultural centre of Mexico know as ‘The City of Roses’, will showcase Emirati and Arab literature and build bridges between the Arab and Latin cultures through a diverse agenda of activities.