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Sharjah: Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) ‘Manassah’ project is showcasing 12 Emirati publishers and members of the EPA, at the debut edition of the Emirati Book Fair (EBF 2019) taking place in Sharjah, from May 26 – 28, at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) headquarters.
On offering from these publishers are 609 books encompassing works of more than 12 Emirati authors in 66 titles, which will be available to the book fair’s visitors for purchase throughout the three-day fair. The initiative, alongside enriching the fair’s literary offerings, will strengthen the principal purpose of EBF 2019, which is to offer more prominence to local writers on the UAE’s cultural landscape. In the same spirit, a special book signing activity will be organised involving 12 authors who will autograph their books for purchasers.
The literary festival is part of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 celebrations, and has been conceptualised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) to build on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to mark May 26 on the annual calendar as ‘Emirati Writer’s Day’.
Launched earlier this year, Manassah has already offered a platform to over 100 titles from a diversity of genres by 13 EPA members at local and regional book fairs – Casablanca International Book Fair, (Morocco), Muscat International Book Fair, Riyadh International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair to name a few.
Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA, said: “Since its launch, Manassah has been shedding the spotlight on new and emerging Emirati publishers at prominent international book fairs in the Arab region, as well as other parts of the world. The Emirati Book Fair is a novel idea, thanks to the ever-supportive and nurturing vision of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi towards local literary professionals, and the continuous efforts of the SBA to bring this vision to life, our homegrown writers and publishers have a brand new platform to showcase their works and interact with the public.
“Our initiative has been working actively to boost the prominence and popularity of our membership on various publishing platforms, and we consider establishing a stronger local presence for them as important as regional and international outreach. This book fair has offered us a stellar opportunity to do so,” he added.
Supported by Tilal Properties, Manassah is EPA’s latest initiative to boost the representation and outreach of its member publishers at top literary events and exhibitions by offering them an independent point of sale.
EPA was founded in 2009 under an initiative by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice President of the International Publishers Association (IPA) and Head of Advisory Committee of Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC), who has led the efforts to advance the publishing industry in the UAE. The organisation is dedicated to serving and developing the publishing sector and advancing the role of Emirati publishers through training and mentorship programmes. EPA represents the interests of professionals in the UAE’s publishing industry by working on advancing their rights and has a remit to improve the conditions of the profession and its related laws in coordination with concerned authorities locally and internationally.
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