Sharjah Institute For Heritage Highlights 1,000 Publications At Cairo Book Fair Pavilion

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage is preparing a broad presence at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, which runs from 21 January to 3 February 2026 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo. The event draws close to two million visitors each year and includes wide participation from public bodies and Arab and international publishing houses.

The Institute’s pavilion will display more than 1,000 titles, offering a wide selection of works on cultural heritage. These publications cover tangible and intangible heritage, academic research and documentation. The display aims to increase awareness of diverse heritage elements and provide material for researchers, students and the wider public interested in Emirati, Egyptian and broader Arab traditions.

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage has prepared a detailed cultural schedule for the fair, built around specialist dialogue and knowledge exchange. The programme includes panel discussions on the shared cultural heritage between Emirati and Egyptian traditions, the "heritage book: presence and absence", Egyptian heritage in the Institute’s publications, and "specialised institutional publishing: Reality & Prospects". Sessions will gather experts, researchers and publishing professionals.

Alongside these sessions, the Institute will host Heritage Readings in cooperation with the Book Club. These readings highlight key heritage texts and recent research outputs. A series of book-signing events will also introduce the latest releases from the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, giving visitors a chance to meet authors and learn more about current heritage projects and studies.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, stated that the Institute seeks an active and distinct role at each edition of the Cairo International Book Fair. Dr. Al Musallam described the fair as one of the region’s largest cultural gatherings and a major platform for public engagement with heritage knowledge across the Middle East.

According to Dr. Al Musallam, the Institute’s participation is linked to its broader mission to safeguard heritage, connect it with current life and share it through many channels. This mission appears in numerous projects and initiatives, ranging from festivals and exhibitions to conferences and thematic events held within the UAE and abroad, which highlight many heritage practices and narratives.

Dr. Al Musallam noted that the Sharjah Institute for Heritage has advanced heritage scholarship by drawing researchers and specialists, and by supporting studies focused on local and Arab traditions. The Institute contributes to Emirati and Arab libraries with specialised books, journals and periodicals devoted to heritage topics at national, regional and international levels, strengthening reference collections used by academics and professionals.

Dr. Al Musallam also stressed that the Government of Sharjah treats books, knowledge industries and creative sectors as central policy areas. Reading and cultural production are considered strategic priorities, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The Institute’s role at the Cairo International Book Fair reflects this wider commitment to culture and heritage.

With inputs from WAM