Sharjah Institute For Heritage Promotes Cultural Exchange At Cairo International Book Fair 2025

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), led by Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, is participating in the Cairo International Book Fair 2025 from 23rd January to 5th February. This event provides a platform for SIH to engage with Egyptian institutions in heritage, publishing, and research. The institute's delegation includes cultural experts like Khalid Al Matroushi and Ahmed Al Dah.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam highlighted that their participation aligns with His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision. He emphasised the importance of books as tools for knowledge exchange and heritage preservation. SIH showcases publications on tangible and intangible heritage, including dictionaries and encyclopaedias, to document Arab cultural identity.

SIH has published over 1001 titles, reinforcing its commitment to academic research and cultural preservation. The institute will participate in panel discussions such as "The Future of Cultural Heritage in a Changing World," featuring Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam and other experts like Dr. Ahmed Zayed from Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Another significant session, "Arab Joint Publishing," will involve Dr. Minni Bounama and publishing specialists discussing cross-border collaboration. A session titled "Sharjah Institute for Heritage: Awards, Programmes, and Events" will feature Aisha Al Hassan and Aisha Ghabesh, highlighting SIH’s contributions to cultural initiatives.

In addition, the session "Documenting Egyptian Heritage: Completed Projects" will include Dr Mustafa Jad and other experts exploring efforts to preserve Egypt’s cultural legacy. This discussion aims to shed light on significant projects undertaken in this field.

Digital Workshop Initiatives

SIH will also participate in the third digital workshop focused on an electronic portal for intangible cultural heritage. This workshop is directed by Dr Mustafa Jad, Dr Ayman Suleiman, and Dr Sayed Darwish, aiming to enhance digital documentation efforts.

The cultural programme includes book launches that celebrate heritage and traditions. Notable works include "Arab Folk Poetry" by Dr Khaled Abu El Leil and "Traditional Foods in Celebrations and Festivals" by Dr Abdelhakim Tu'ma. These publications honour Arab heritage while enriching Arabic literature.

Networking events at the fair will allow SIH to forge new collaborations and initiatives, strengthening its role as a leader in cultural preservation. Through these engagements, SIH continues to promote its mission of safeguarding heritage while fostering academic research.

SIH's active involvement at the Cairo International Book Fair underscores its dedication to preserving cultural identity through literature and collaboration with regional partners.

With inputs from WAM