Sao Paulo: Sharjah is set to celebrate its selection as the Guest of Honour at the 25th edition of Sao Paulo International Book Fair, which will take place from August 3 to 12, with a programme highlighting Sharjah’s influence on the global cultural landscape.
Supervised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), in collaboration with 15 cultural institutions and organisations, Sharjah will organise a series of sessions, seminars and book events that will be presented by 20 Emirati authors and publishers.
The programme, which will also highlight 40 Emirati books translated into Portuguese (Brazil’s official language), aims to promote insights into the heritage of the UAE and the Arab region.
The celebratory programme was unveiled during a press conference held in Sao Paulo in the presence of Ahmad Al Ameri, chairman of SBA; Ebrahim Salem Al Alawi, UAE Consul-General in Sao Paulo; and Luiz Antonio Torelli, president of the Brazilian Book Chamber (CBL), in addition to a number of Emirati and Arab diplomats and Brazilian journalists.
During the conference, Al Ameri highlighted Sharjah’s vision to stimulate dialogue with other cultures and outlined initiatives led by the emirate in this regard.
Al Ameri said the Sharjah Pavilion at Sao Paulo Book Fair is designed to demonstrate the UAE’s literary passion to the Brazilian people and visitors from around the world through a colourful programme, including themes on novels, folk performances, Emirati fashion shows and traditional cuisine and crafts.
“Inspired by the vision of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate will continue to be a window not only into UAE’s culture, but also to the overall Arab and Islamic community,” Al Ameri said.
“Choosing Sharjah as the Guest of Honour at São Paulo Book Fair 2018 is yet another achievement that confirms the emirate’s growing stature in a worldwide cultural arena and comes after Sharjah was celebrated as the Special Guest City of Honour at the 38th edition of Paris Book Fair and named by New Delhi as the Guest of Honour for its 2019 book fair.”
Al Alawi, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of Sharjah’s participation at Sao Paolo in strengthening the bonds between the UAE and Brazil based on cultural ties.
Torelli said: “Having Sharjah as the first Guest of Honour at the Sao Paulo International Book Fair is a great opportunity to present the richness of its wonderful, diverse culture to the visitors not just from Brazil, but from across the whole of South America and beyond. I am sure this will be just the beginning of bringing our cultures and book markets closer.”
