After five days of showcasing the Emirati culture to Russians at the 32nd Moscow International Book Fair (MIBF 2019), Sharjah – the World Book Capital 2019 – has wrapped up its ‘Guest City’ participation at the fair, going down the pages of history as the first Arab city to be offered this honour by Russia’s largest book fair.

The Sharjah pavilion welcomed huge crowds of visitors from 4 – 8 September, who came in to learn from the discussions led by Emirati authors, intellectuals and cultural figures; take part in a variety of art, craft and traditional folk activities organised by Sharjah’s cultural entities led by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) – all of which offered them a solid introduction to the UAE and Sharjah’s impressive 47-year cultural efforts, which have been recognised globally.  

Russian authors, publishers and intellectuals were introduced to the efforts and initiatives of the emirate focused on boosting authorship in the UAE and the local publishing landscape.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations (DoGR), and head of Sharjah delegation to MIBF 2019, said Sharjah’s participation has been yet another remarkable success for the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has always wanted culture and arts to be the languages Sharjah uses to communicate with the world.

“Sharjah set up its cultural pavilion in a country with a rich cultural history, where literature was born more than 2,000 years ago. Today, we conclude our participation in Moscow after having introduced Russians from all walks of life to the gems of Emirati and Arab cultural heritage. The success of all our cultural events and engagements in Moscow adds another feather to Sharjah’s cap and reinforces the emirate’s cultural status on the global cultural map,” Sheikh Fahim said.

Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said that Sharjah’s participation as the first Arab city participating in MIBF in the capacity of a ‘Guest City’ is an affirmation of  the emirate’s cultural status and its importance in the Arab and international cultural scene.

“After every participation in a cultural event, we recall the directive of the Sharjah Ruler to strengthen cultural and intellectual bridges with the world. For that purpose, we take our heritage, language and rich history to all its corners. Through this participation, Sharjah has widened the cultural gateway that connects Russia and the UAE,” he said.