In a bid to reinforce Sharjah’s cultural ties with the Gulf and the wider Arab world, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is participating in the 25th edition of Muscat International Book Fair, organised by the Omani Ministry of Heritage and Culture, from February 22 – March 2.

SBA has been introducing publishers, visitors and the larger literary fraternity to Sharjah’s cultural project, which was initiated over 45 years ago by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The authority’s showcase agenda also includes its latest initiatives, which aim to enrich the UAE’s and the region’s cultural landscape.

Shihab Bin Tariq Al Said, Advisor to Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq, accompanied by leading Omani officials and cultural figures toured the Sharjah pavilion, during which he was presented with a copy of The Correspondence of Sultan Barghash, the Sultan of Zanzibarauthored by the Ruler of Sharjah.

SBA hosted numerous cultural activities, literary discussions, and a series of poetry sessions, one of which was moderated by Dr Wafa Al Shamsi and featured two Emirati poets Sheikha Al Mutairi and Hassan Al Najjar. SBA also held netwrorking meetings to explore collaborations with prominent Omani and Arab authors and publishers.

 The authority also showcased the world-class services and incentives offered by Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ), the first tax free zone in the world dedicated to printing, publishing and allied businesses.  

Fadhil Hussain, director of SBA Office in the Eastern Region, noted that over the past 25 years, the Muscat International Book Fair has established itself as one of the most prominent cultural events hosted in the Arab world.

He added that SBA is keen on being proactively involved in cultural events to showcase Sharjah’s cultural project, as well as Sharjah’s role in bolstering the knowledge foundations in the UAE and the Arab world.

Established in 2014, the SBA is dedicated to encouraging investments in the creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people from different countries and cultures. SBA is tasked with highlighting the significant role of writers and their influence in promoting community awareness in view of the present-day technological advancements and diversity of sources of knowledge.

It also aims to attract relevant bodies, and all concerned about the cultural sector in general, with a focus on the publishing, printing, translation, documentation and children’s books.