SBA Enhances Sharjah's Cultural Influence At London Book Fair 2025 With Global Collaborations

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) showcased the emirate's cultural prominence at the 51st London Book Fair (LBF) in Olympia London. This event is a significant gathering in the publishing world, attracting publishers, authors, and industry experts globally to share knowledge and explore collaboration opportunities. Sharjah's involvement highlighted its dedication to international cultural exchange and the UAE's vibrant publishing sector.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, stated, "Sharjah’s presence at the LBF is a key part of its annual agenda, as the event stands as one of the world’s most prominent cultural gatherings, reflecting the global literary and publishing landscape. Each year, the emirate’s participation highlights its achievements in the cultural sector, driven by the success of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which holds the world's largest book fair title for four years in a row in terms of buying and selling of copyrights, reaffirming Sharjah’s pivotal role in supporting the global publishing movement and fostering cultural exchange between East and West."

During LBF 2025, Sharjah introduced a newly renamed award for Arabic children's literature. Previously known as the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature, it is now called the International Award for Arabic Children's Literature. Organised with UAEBBY and e&, this initiative aims to promote Arabic children's literature globally while encouraging collaboration among Arab authors and illustrators.

The emirate's pavilion at LBF offered visitors a curated selection of translated Arabic works in English. It facilitated meetings between Emirati and international publishers to explore collaborative opportunities. The Sharjah Literary Agency provided consultations on book marketing strategies and copyright protection. Additionally, Onshur Fund presented incentives tailored to publishers' diverse needs.

Over three days at LBF, SBA engaged with over 40 international publishers. These included Ingram, Atlantic Publishing, Publishers Weekly, Times - Singapore, Amazon MGM Studios, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Hachette, Oxford University Press, John Marshall Media, Sourcebooks, and others. These interactions aimed to strengthen ties between regional creative industries and global publishing communities.

SBA also highlighted initiatives like the Turjuman Award and Sharjah Translation Grant during LBF. These awards support translations between Arabic and other languages to enhance Arab literature's global presence. The authority promoted events such as the Sharjah International Book Fair and Children’s Reading Festival that offer diverse opportunities for international publishers.

Infrastructure Support for Publishers

The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone was part of Sharjah's delegation at LBF. It showcased advanced infrastructure supporting business establishment and global expansion for publishing ventures. Exclusive administrative incentives were highlighted to create an ideal environment for industry professionals.

Al Ameri added that under Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's leadership: "Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi...we strived to represent the UAE in the best possible light at LBF." This vision underscores books as bridges of cultural exchange promoting peace among nations.

Promoting Cultural Exchange

SBA spotlighted key industry events like Publishers Conference and Booksellers Conference at LBF. These events bring together global stakeholders annually to discuss trends shaping publishing worldwide. The authority also promoted initiatives supporting translation efforts globally through awards like Turjuman Award.

SBA's participation underscored its commitment to fostering cultural exchange between East and West while highlighting Emirati writers' contributions globally. The emirate continues positioning itself as a model for intellectuals worldwide through diverse programmes showcasing local writers' experiences alongside international collaborations.

With inputs from WAM