Sharjah Showcases Its Rich Cultural Vision At The Rio International Book Fair 2025

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, is showcasing Emirati and Arab literature at the Rio International Book Fair 2025 in Brazil. This event highlights Sharjah's cultural vision and features Emirati works translated into Portuguese, aiming to share UAE's cultural achievements globally.

As part of Brazil's celebration of World Book Capitals, the fair runs until 22nd June. Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the World Book Capital for 2025, a title Sharjah held in 2019. This recognition underscores Sharjah's global influence in culture and publishing.

SBA's pavilion at the fair highlights the UAE and Arab world's cultural diversity, focusing on achievements in literature and publishing. The authority engages with publishers, translators, and cultural organisations to foster knowledge exchange and explore translation opportunities between Arabic and other languages.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, stated that their participation reflects Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision. He emphasises culture as central to development strategies and sees books as bridges for dialogue worldwide. "Sharjah’s presence in Rio highlights the central role of Emirati and Arab culture on the global knowledge map," Al Ameri said.

Under Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi's guidance, SBA aims to empower Emirati and Arab publishers to access new markets. They are committed to developing sustainable support systems for enhancing their global presence. The selection of Rio as World Book Capital offers a chance to strengthen ties with Latin America's cultural community.

SBA organised a panel discussion titled "The heritage of Arab literature and Sharjah-led new literary movement" during the fair. This session explored Emirati literature's evolution and Sharjah’s role in nurturing writers. Renowned authors like Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Lulwah Al Mansouri, and Nasser Al Dhaheri participated.

Prominent Initiatives

SBA highlighted initiatives such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, Children’s Reading Festival, and Publishing City Free Zone. They introduced Onshur, a fund supporting emerging market publishing industries, and the Sharjah Literary Agency to protect Arab authors' rights globally.

The authority also showcased Sharjah Public Libraries' role in promoting knowledge for over a century. Publishers were briefed on international conferences hosted annually in Sharjah, including those focused on publishing, libraries, bookselling, and animation.

Women in Publishing

The PublisHer initiative was featured at the Sharjah pavilion. Founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, it supports women in publishing by creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. The pavilion also displayed titles from Al Qasimi Publications alongside works from the Department of Culture.

The Rio International Book Fair began in 1983 and has grown into Brazil’s largest literary festival. Organised by SNEL with major publishers' collaboration, it attracts hundreds of writers and over 600,000 visitors annually. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange and idea sharing.

With inputs from WAM