Over 1,000 titles at debut Emirati Book Fair in Sharjah

A total of 22 publishing houses will take part in the first Emirati Book Fair next week, hosted by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) to promote local talent. Thousands of books written by Emirati authors will be on display at the event.

The three-day cultural extravaganza, taking place from May 26 to 28, is part of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 celebrations. It will be held at the SBA headquarters, and see participation of several renowned Emirati authors and intellectuals. It will be open to the public from 9.30pm to 12.30am.

The fair will host Emirates Publishers Association's initiative - Manassah platform - which will showcase more than 1,000 titles by 13 publishers. The event will bring together visitors in seminars and discussion panels that will host many creative and talented Emirati authors.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of the SBA, said the authority is always looking for ways to celebrate Emirati writers by offering them prominence on important cultural platforms. He noted that the decision by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Qasimi, , Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to mark May 26 annually as Emirati Writer's Day, is to highlight the pivotal role writers play in a nation's developmental journey, and to bring community together in a celebration of local literature.

"The exhibition is a great opportunity for Emirati writers to share their work and experiences with publishers and the general public. It will be a vibrant three-day platform to reflect on and celebrate our literary talents; our history, culture and heritage. It will also offer key networking opportunities to both authors and publishers, and offer them a chance to share expertise and benefit from each other's experiences," said the chairman.

Khoula Al Mujaini, director of fairs and festivals at the SBA, said: "We are dedicated to supporting Emirati authors, and offering them with a platform to showcase their work and creativity, is a mainstay of our efforts. This exhibition furthers our strategy to nurture Emirati writers and intellectuals, and highlight their achievements to Sharjah's and the UAE's book lovers.

"The exhibition will showcase different creative genres by Emirati writers and intellectuals. It is a promising event to learn about novels, poetry, and prose, shinning a spotlight on the authentic culture of the UAE, and introduces visitors to the creative Emiratis behind these works," she added.

The cultural event was conceptualised in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to annually mark May 26 as Emirati Writer's Day.

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Book fairs promote the love for the written word and are vital to societies that want stronger knowledge and cultural foundations. The Emirati Book Fair will encourage more writers and spread awareness about Emirati writers. A little support can go a long way in supporting local talent and budding writers, who are waiting for their stories to take shape and voices to be heard.