Sao Paulo: During Sharjah’s participation at the 25th São Paulo International Book Fair, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) officials visited the University of São Paulo’s headquarters to explore avenues of academic and cultural cooperation with Brazil.
Antonio Carlos Hernandes, university’s vice-president, welcomed Ahmad Al Ameri, chairman of SBA, and Ebrahim Alawi, UAE Consul-General in São Paulo, where the vice-president offered a detailed insight into the history of one of the most important academic institutions in Brazil and Latin America, since its inception in 1934. The university specialises in several disciplines including the sciences and literature, engineering and arts, and has over 130,000 students enrolled into its large number of campuses and schools.
Al Ameri presented the university two prominent works by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, titled ‘Sard Al That’ (My Early Life), and ‘Hadeeth Al Thakira’ (The Consolidation Years 1979-1987), and works of 40 Emirati authors, which were translated for the first time into Portuguese to celebrate Sharjah’s participation as the São Paulo International Book Fair’s first-ever guest of honour.
Al Ameri and Hernandes had a detailed discussion about how cultural exchange between the two countries could be achieved through their respective libraries, starting with the library at the University of São Paulo.
“Translating some of the works by the Ruler of Sharjah and 40 Emirati and Arab authors from Arabic into Portuguese is a firm step in the direction to reinforce bilateral cultural relations with Brazil. We are pleased to share with Brazil and the Latin America the life’s story and experiences of one of the most prominent leaders and leading intellectual figures of our times,” said Al Ameri.
Hernandes underscored that the university looks forward to exploring the UAE’s expertise in leading Arab literary and cultural exchange, and in doing so, strengthen Brazil’s relations by boosting the inflow of Emirati and Arab books on to their country.
