The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), an affiliate of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), is gearing up to participate in the 46th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, set to kick off on 28th of January; with Saudi Arabia participating as the Guest of Honour.

The Cairo Book Fair Administration has selected Mohammed Abduh, Egyptian Islamic jurist, religious scholar, and liberal reformer, as the key personality of this edition in recognition of his enlightenment role throughout several generations.

The SIBF Management seeks to make the best use of its participation to network with publishers, literary figures and men of thought, and visitors to the Cairo book exhibition in order to familiarise them with the Sharjah International Book Fair and its upcoming edition, which will take place from November 4-14, 2015 and encourage them to contribute to the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, due to be held on 22nd of April.

SIBF will be represented by a delegation led Fadil Hussain, Deputy General-Coordinator of SIBF, Faisal Al Naboodah, Sales Officer – International, and Zaher El Sousi, Sales Executive – Arabia at SIBF.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, said: “Cultural relations between the UAE and Egypt enjoys special attention and direct support from His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of Egypt’s high profile and distinguished position in culture, and the need for SIBF to always be present at cultural exhibitions and events held in Egypt, and facilitate the participation of Egyptian publishers in the Sharjah Book Fair.”

Al Ameri added: “Our participation in the Cairo Book Fair is the largest ever in Arab exhibitions, as we seek through it to strengthen ties and connections with Egyptian, Arab and foreign publishers, cultural and intellectual figures, and media personalities participating in the book fair. We will make the best use of this participation to exchange expertise with them and benefit from the best practices in the field of organising book fairs, which will in turn contribute to the development of our activities and programmes, in our quest to strengthen and develop cultural work for the benefit of all professionals in the publishing industry. ”

The SIBF stand in the Cairo Book Fair will help introduce publishers and visitors to the upcoming edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, and register the participation of Egyptian, Arab, and foreign publishers in its annual Professional Programme as well as the upcoming conference of the American Library Association (ALA), which is set to be hosted by Sharjah every year.

It will promote the Translation Grant offered by SIBF to encourage translation from and into the Arabic language, as well its annual awards dedicated to publishers, authors, and illustrators.

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) was established in December 2013 by an Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

As per the decree, SBA is tasked with encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between peoples from different civilizations and cultures. It is also tasked with emphasising the significant role of writers and their influence in spreading awareness in society in light of technological advancement and the availability of various sources of knowledge.

The authority assumes the responsibility of enhancing the Emirate’s status on the local, regional, and international level to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general, and the publishing, printing, translation, documentation, and children’s book sector in particular.