With 160 Emirati authors signing their works for their fans and book lovers on Monday, the first edition of the Emirati Book Fair (EBF 2019) has set a national and regional record for bringing the largest number of local authors under one roof for a book signing event.

Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA commented: “This book signing ceremony follows the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to promote and support local writers and intellectuals, whose contributions to modern-day knowledge and literature continue to boost the UAE’s cultural image worldwide. The event focused the spotlight on these literary champions.”

“Thousands of books written by Emirati authors are on display at the book fair. We were extremely pleased with the strong reception the signing event has received from Emirati authors across the UAE. They all came forward to participate, which testifies Sharjah’s cultural status at home and abroad,” the Chairman added.

The three-day book fair is being held at the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) headquarters, and concludes on Tuesday, May 28, and open to the public from 9:30pm-12:30am.

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has ordered the allocation of a Dhs500,000 grant in support of the Emirati Book Fair, which began on Sunday and was scheduled to run until Tuesday.

The gesture reflects the Sharjah Ruler’s keenness to promote locally-produced literature within the UAE’s book industry by supporting Emirati writers and intellectuals, and ultimately enhancing their presence in libraries.

The debut edition of the book fair sees the participation of 25 Emirati publishing houses, and will host the largest Emirati book-signing ceremony for Emirati writers in the country. It will also offer a platform to a series of panel discussions.

Earlier Dr Sheikh Sultan inaugurated the first Emirati Book Fair, being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), in cooperation with Emirates Publishers Association.

Held at SBA’s headquarters in Al Zahia Area, the Fair is orgnised as part of Sharjah’s celebration of its selection as World Book Capital 2019.

The inauguration ceremony also saw the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice President of the International Publishers Association, Juma Al Majid; Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mohammed Bin Rashid Library; Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture and elite Emiratis and authors.

The event also coincides with the Emirati Book Day announced by the Ruler of Sharjah, which falls on May 26 each year.

Touring the various pavilions of the fair, Sheikh Sultan began with the “Emirati Writers exhibition,” which presents more than 80 bright pages written by UAE poets and writers in their own hands, to serve as the testimony of nature of work of those intellectuals of the generation of pioneers.

He also visited the Emirati Writer’s Museum, which is held in cooperation with the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, and sheds light on the life and creativity of leading and contemporary Emirati writers like Al Majidi bin Dhaher, Hamid Al Shamsi, Salem Al Owais and others, through highlighting their achievements and displaying their personal possessions — pens, manuscripts and others.

During his tour, Sharjah Ruler learned about the poetry anthology, diwans, articles and books related to Emirati artists. He listened to explanations about the audio publications, which include creative recordings that were documented as an innovative archive for the pioneers.

At the UAE publishing houses pavilion, Sheikh Sultan was briefed on their publications and the creative titles that contribute to shedding light on the local creative genres by Emirati writers and intellectuals.

WAM