The Mexican city of Guadalajara, popularly known as ‘The City of Roses’, is asserting the global stature of the emirate of Sharjah and the UAE among the world’s leading cultural capitals as it celebrates the cultural project of Sharjah on Saturday, November 26, 2022, to honour the emirate’s Guest of Honour status at the 36th Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL).

With a host of entities participating in the international book fair under the Sharjah pavilion, the emirate will host rich and diverse activities to introduce visitors to the nation’s unique heritage, arts, and music, in addition to shining light on the Emirati cultural and publishing sectors.

Commenting on the emirate’s activities during the book fair, which runs between November 26 and December 4, HE Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, said: “The Department will organise an ‘Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition’ in collaboration with the University of Guadalajara in addition to an art workshop. We will also showcase the department’s publications and magazines in various cultural fields.”

For his part, Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, said Sharjah’s participation at FIL provides a unique opportunity for knowledge and culture exchange, and is an opportunity to showcase Emirati and Arab literary works to their global counterparts in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said the entity’s participation will introduce FIL visitors to the UAE’s rich heritage. He said: “The institute’s agenda includes a seminar on inscriptions and its significance on the Emirati heritage, in addition to folk art shows performed by the Sharjah National Band where female artisans will showcase traditional and heritage crafts. The latest publications of the institute, available  in various languages, will also be presented at the book fair.”

Prof. Dr Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, Director of the University of Sharjah (UoS), said that in line with the Sharjah’s cultural and developmental vision, UoS will conduct meetings with the University of Guadalajara, Universidad de Guanajuato, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, to build partnerships in various fields including teaching Arabic, medicine, engineering, space, archaeology.

HE Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, said the authority will cover live the events of the book fair, in addition to special segments on Sharjah’s activities, as well as conduct interviews with Arab and Mexican authors and intellectuals.

For her part, Marwa Al Aqroubi, Director of the House of Wisdom, said: “A diverse agenda of cultural activities will mark our participation at the 36^th Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). This includes the launch of the Spanish version of ‘Folktales Reimagined’ exhibition in partnership with the UAE Board on Books for Young People, in addition to showcasing rare and valuable books donated by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to the House of Wisdom.”

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said the association will bolster the presence of Emirati authors at one of the world’s most important book fairs to ensure the placement of local Arab titles in libraries worldwide.

For her part, Dr. Alyazia Khalifa, President of the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA), said that with a focus on expertise exchange, the entity also aims to highlight its efforts to safeguard the rights of authors and publishers.

Speaking of their participation, Muhannad Hussein Bu Saida, Director of Al Qasimi Publications, said: “During our participation in the book fair, we will highlight the works of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah that conveys his key messages and cultural vision with the people of Latin America.”

Issa Youssef, Director of the Archaeology Department at Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), said: “We will highlight the rich history of Sharjah through the SAA which showcases all the artefacts and historic locations in the emirate. We will also organise a seminar on Mleiha archaeological site, and showcase replicas of 19 relics including ivory combs, bronze tools and other antiquities dating back to different historical periods of the emirate at the MUSA Museum of the Arts at the University of Guadalajara.”

For their part, the Sharjah Museums Authority will showcase a selection of unique artefacts from its museums, including ornaments, pottery, incense burners and paintings that shine light on the UAE’s history and Islamic civilisation.