Paris, Mar 16th, 2012 (WAM)--H. H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah visited the Paris Book Fair that is being hosted at the Versailles Expo Centre in France. The acclaimed literary event attracts an average of more than 180,000 visitors annually.
During his visit, Sheikh said: "Book fairs represent the fountainhead of culture. The Paris Book Fair presents a unique opportunity to facilitate the translation of Arab literary works into various languages." The Ruler of Sharjah was accompanied by Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairwoman of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and President of Emirates Publishers Association, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation, and the UAE Ambassador to France Mohammed Mir Abdullah Al-Raeesi. Sheikh Dr Sultan was received by Jean-Daniel Compain, Director-General of Paris International Book Fair, who also accompanied the entourage on a tour of the exhibition. Sharjah is marking its participation in the Paris Book Fair through the representation of a large number of institutions, including the Department of Culture, Sharjah International Book Fair, Al Qassimi Publications, Kalemat House for Publication and Distribution, Culture without Borders Project, Emirates Publishers Association, Sharjah Biennial, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and Sharjah Media Centre. Sharjahs presence at the international event in Paris comes from an objective to gain a significant number of books translated from French into Arabic and vice-versa and drive forward the cultural synergy between France and the Arab world. Sheikh Sultan said: "Many institutions from around the world take part in the Paris Book Fair for its status as an ideal platform that fosters the exchange of ideas among writers and presents innovations in the publishing world. Sharjahs presence at the exhibition comes as part of our initiative to ensure that Arabic remains recognised as a mainstream language. Sharjah serves as an ambassador for the Arab nations at the global arena, which is a major achievement for the emirate and offers testimony to the longevity of the Arab culture despite the dynamic shifts on the political map of the region." Regarding the level of Arab participation at book fairs in general and the Paris International Book Fair 2012 in particular, Sheikh Sultan said: "During the past two years, Arab participation at international book fairs has been diminishing. Furthermore, it is unfortunate that the book fair in Egypt, the largest and most famous book fair in the Arab world, was cancelled last year and shortened this year." "At Paris, we note that Arab participation is relatively moderate, although only a limited number of Arabic publications have been featured. Additionally, we wish to see more books translated into French to help greater number of French-speaking readers can gain a glimpse of the Arabic culture. The book fair provides translators and publishers the opportunity to take the initiative and participate in this fair." He visited a number of pavilions from France and worldwide including the Tresor Livres documentation film pavilion that showcased ancient manuscripts of the seventh art and some of the most important scripts that have been in famous films worldwide. Sheikh Sultan was briefed on the key exhibitors at the event, particularly publishers from Japan, the guest of honour of the festival who have been allocated a significant portion of the exhibition area. Works of well-known novelists such as Murakami Haruki as well as poetry, screenplays, children's literature and comic books authored by contemporary Japanese writers were some of the works showcased at the event. During his visit to the stands of French publishing houses and to the National Publishers Union, the Sharjah Ruler was offered an insight into the contemporary body of work in the arts, literature and books categories for children and adolescents. He met Frederic Mitterrand, French Minister of Culture and Communication, advisors to the French Ministry of Culture, and Antoine Glamour, Chairman of the French Publishers Federation. The French dignitaries praised Sharjahs keenness to participate in international cultural events in a time of decline in Arab interest in such events, particularly in the publishing and literary landscape. The Ruler of Sharjah presented the Director of the Paris Book Fair with copies of his literary, historical and artistic books that have been displayed in the pavilion and translated into French. He also signed a copy of his book "Self Narrative" in French, which was launched at a ceremony in Paris last evening. Sheikha Budoor bint Sultan Al Qassimi said: "Our presence today in Paris is not limited to displaying books and building pavilions, but we are here to identify new technologies in the publishing world and to connect with global publishers, the French in particular, which will contribute to our efforts to gain membership in the International Publishers Association. She added: "We aim to hold several meetings with publishing houses from different countries to discuss ways of cooperation and promote cultural and intellectual exchange through the translation of Arabic books to different languages ??and the translation of books from different languages ??into Arabic." Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Amri, Director, Sharjah International Book Fair, said: "The participation at Paris Book Fair 2012 comes as part of our endeavour to implement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, to promote Sharjahs achievements at international cultural forums. "His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is keen on various cultural, artistic and literary institutions of Sharjah to participate at events in Paris, which is the global capital of culture and arts, in order to foster cultural exchange. The outstanding participation of Sharjahs cultural institutions at the Paris Book Fair will contribute to promoting Sharjahs tourism, cultural and heritage products." During his tour at Paris Book Fair 2012, His Sheikh Sultan's entourage also included Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Information; Dr. Amr Abdel-Hamid, Special Advisor to His Highness for Higher Education; Ahmad bin Rakkad Al Amri, Director of Sharjah International Book Fair; Marwan Al Serkal, Executive Director of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Rashid Al Quds, Director, Culture without Borders Project, and Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
