Sharjah illuminates Rio Book Fair with Emirati and Arab literary heritage

Sharjah: At the Rio International Book Fair 2025, the largest event of its kind in Latin America, Sharjah is proudly sharing its cultural journey and experience as a former World Book Capital. Guided by the vision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the emirate is using this global platform to highlight the richness of Emirati and Arab literature.

Through its vibrant pavilion, Sharjah is offering visitors a unique glimpse into contemporary Emirati stories and Arab culture. The SBA is also showcasing several Emirati books that have been translated into Portuguese, opening a new window for Brazilian readers to explore the UAE’s cultural heritage.

Sharjah’s participation comes as Rio de Janeiro celebrates its selection as the World Book Capital for 2025, a title Sharjah proudly held in 2019. This honour recognises cities that contribute to spreading knowledge and promoting reading around the world.

At the heart of the book fair, SBA is bringing attention to the diversity of culture in the UAE and the Arab world. The team is actively meeting with international publishers, translators, and cultural organisations to build partnerships and exchange ideas. They are working to create more opportunities for Emirati and Arab books to reach global readers, while also inviting publishing leaders to join Sharjah’s major international events like the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said Sharjah’s participation in Rio is part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, who believes that books can build bridges between cultures.

“Sharjah’s presence in Rio is more than just sharing books. It’s about creating a space where Emirati and Arab cultures can connect with Latin America’s rich heritage,” Al Ameri said. “This is a chance to strengthen our cultural ties and invite the world to discover the beauty and depth of our stories.”

He added that SBA is working under Sheikha Bodour’s leadership to help Emirati and Arab publishers and writers reach new markets and grow sustainably in the global publishing scene.

As part of the fair’s cultural programme, SBA hosted a special panel titled "The Heritage of Arab Literature and Sharjah’s New Literary Wave". The session explored how Sharjah is helping new Emirati writers thrive and how its literary scene is growing.

The panel featured well-known Emirati authors whose books have been translated into Portuguese:

SBA also organised a book signing to celebrate these newly translated works, reinforcing its mission to promote cultural exchange and bring Emirati voices to the world stage.

During the event, SBA introduced key Sharjah initiatives that support publishing and knowledge sharing, such as:

They also presented the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), which helps support publishers in emerging markets, and the Sharjah Literary Agency, which protects the rights of Arab writers and helps them reach international audiences.

Sharjah also highlighted the long-standing role of Sharjah Public Libraries, which have been spreading knowledge for over 100 years.

The pavilion showcased global conferences Sharjah regularly hosts, including:

One of the key highlights was the Publisher initiative, founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to empower women in publishing and create real opportunities for them to connect and grow.

Visitors to the Sharjah pavilion also enjoyed a carefully selected collection of books from Al Qasimi Publications and the Department of Culture, offering a window into the heart of Sharjah’s creative spirit.

First launched in 1983, the Rio International Book Fair is Brazil’s largest literary event, attracting more than 600,000 visitors each year. It brings together authors, publishers, and book lovers from all over the world in a celebration of storytelling and cultural exchange.

Sharjah’s participation at this year’s fair is a proud reminder of how books can connect people across continents and how the emirate continues to shine as a global centre of culture and knowledge.