During the Sharjah Book Authority’s (SBA) participation at the 2024 Seoul International Book Fair, the largest such event in South Korea, the SBA pavilion proved to be a hub of vibrant cultural exchange, showcasing a diverse collection of Emirati and Arab books. This participation marked another step towards elevating the profile of Arab and Emirati culture on the international stage, fostering cross-cultural communication with Korean and global publishers. Importantly, it also served to bolster ties between Sharjah and South Korea’s thriving literary and cultural community.

The SBA leveraged its presence at the book fair, which was held from June 26-30, to highlight the diverse cultural programming organised throughout the year in Sharjah. This included showcasing the renowned Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF), to more than 350 Korean publishers, 122 international publishing houses from 18 countries, 180 authors, and visitors to the Seoul International Book Fair.

The authority also showcased Sharjah’s calendar of specialised international conferences, including the Sharjah Publishers Conference, Sharjah Booksellers Conference, and Sharjah Animation Conference, as well as its prestigious international awards such as the annual Sharjah Translation ‘Turjuman’ Award, Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award, and SIBF Awards, in an effort to raise awareness of Sharjah’s commitment to fostering creativity, translation, and illustration in the Arab publishing world.

HE Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Korea visited SBA’s pavilion at the event, where he met with the SBA delegates and discussed the concerted efforts aimed at the enhancement of cultural and literary exchange between Sharjah and Korea and lauded SBA’s role in promoting Emirati culture at the global level. During the visit, the delegation held a number of meetings with publishers from Korea, Thailand, and other countries through which they discussed collaboration opportunities.

Sharjah’s position as a global cultural hub

The SBA underscored Sharjah and the UAE’s importance in developing the region’s creative industries and enhancing its literary and artistic movements on the global stage, with presentations highlighting its future projects and cultural initiatives aimed at supporting authors and translators, while also showcasing its successful track record in organising world-class events and forging partnerships with leading cultural institutions. Through these efforts, the SBA sought to further cement Sharjah’s position as a global cultural hub.

Inspiring journey

Commenting on Sharjah’s participation in the event, Khoula Al Mujaini, Director of Events and Marketing at SBA, emphasised that the emirate’s Participation in the Seoul International Book Fair bolsters the UAE’s goals to strengthen cross-cultural communication. “Building upon Sharjah’s participation last year as the Guest of Honour provided an exceptional opportunity to showcase Arab and Emirati culture on the global stage, in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. This experience, supported by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, allowed Sharjah to broaden the horizons of cultural exchange with the Korean audience and the international cultural elite,” said Al Mujaini.

“We believe that books serve as a powerful bridge connecting nations, and our participation reflects our dedication to furthering mutual understanding and global cultural dialogue. By highlighting Sharjah’s role as a leading cultural destination through our creative initiatives, we aim to create new opportunities for exchange and understanding with Korean civilization and other world cultures. We are proud to showcase success stories that reflect the UAE’s progress in consolidating its position as a global cultural and literary hub, while underscoring Sharjah’s authentic voice in the global industry,” she added.