Advisory Committee of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 
 Reviews Final Preparations to Celebrate Title

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Advisory Committee of Sharjah World Book Capital, has underscored that the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC) 2019 title is a recognition of Sharjah’s and the UAE’s commitment to promote cultural endeavours, support Arab intellectuals and strengthen relations with international cultural centres. She pointed out that winning the world’s most prestigious cultural title is a culmination of the synergies shared by an array of state entities dedicated to taking the emirate’s inclusive cultural accomplishments to the world.

This came during a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC) held at Al Noor Island in Sharjah to discuss the final preparations that have gone into putting together the programme list that will celebrate this prestigious UNESCO title. After an official inauguration on April 23, 2019, a 365-day cultural programme will follow engaging all segments of the UAE community in a plethora of events and activities hosted across Sharjah.

The meeting, chaired by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, shed light on the six pillars, which form the basis of the title and ensuing celebrations: Unifying Community, Fostering Knowledge, Honouring Heritage, Empowering Children and Youth, Raising Awareness and Developing Publishing Industries. These pillars were chosen to broaden social partnerships in the creating of a vibrant programme, create well-educated future generations who embrace knowledge and reading as part of their lives and professions, and support publishers and the larger industry with a global platform to showcase their work and achievements.   

“The title’s theme ‘Open Books. Open Minds’ reflects the emirate’s cultural vision, and is a fitting reflection of the way we perceive the role of books and knowledge in shaping our communities, especially future generations. The theme emphasises the importance of offering ample opportunities for learning through books, broadening one’s horizons,  and engaging with the world peacefully, affectionately and positively. We strive to promote our culture and civilisation across the world” said Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi.

For his part, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council (SMC), underlined that the emirate is gearing up for a series of events to celebrate the title. “We are striving to make the yearlong celebrations an unforgettable experience that the Arab world will remember fondly for years to come. To this end, dozens of entities and hundreds of experts are working closely to ensure that Sharjah is contributing to humankind’s shared cultural legacy as the 19thUNESCO World Book Capital.”

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD); HE Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture; HE Habib Al Sayegh, President of Emirate Writers Union (EWU); HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA); HE Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH); Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, General Commander of Sharjah Police; HE Noura Al Noman, Director of Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi; HE Sultan bin Butti Al Muhairi, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC); HE Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA); Salha Ghabish, General Director of the Media and Cultural Office at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA); HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB).

Other attendees included HE Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of Emirates Publishers Association (EPA); HE Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Women Sports Foundation (SWSF); HE Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment; HE Abdul Rahman Al Muaini, Secretary General of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association (EIPA); Salim Omar Salim, Director of Sharjah Publishing City (SPC); Eman Bu Shlaibi, Director of Libraries at Sharjah Book Authority; Hanadi Al Yafei, Director of Child Safety Department (CSD), and HE Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director-General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHC).

Since 2001, the World Book Capital’s international Committee, which comprises representatives from the International Publishers Association (IPA), International Booksellers Federation (IBF) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), receives and evaluates entries submitted by world cities to select the World Book Capital for a one-year period. The committee at UNESCO named Sharjah the World Book Capital 2019 in appreciation of its vital role in supporting books, promoting reading and adopting knowledge in cross-cultural communication. Sharjah was also recognised for its great efforts to foster reading as a robust culture at the regional and international levels. Sharjah is the first city in the GCC countries and the third in the Arab world and Middle East to win this nomination after Alexandria and Beirut.