Saudi Arabia is participating in the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which opened on Wednesday.
The 11-day show was inaugurated by Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, who honored former Egyptian Minister of Culture Mohammed Saber Arab as the fair’s “Cultural Personality of the Year” in recognition of his distinguished academic career.
Some 1,691 publishers from 60 countries are taking part in the show, offering more than 1.5 million titles. The Kingdom’s stall is displaying 2,400 books — including 290 new titles — related to literature, science and culture.
Sheikh Sultan himself released four new books at the SIBF: A collection of poetic discussions with one of his friends; volume two of a historical account of Sharjah; a collection of Spanish historical documents; and a discourse on a 16th-century Portuguese explorer.
Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Masoudi, director of cultural affairs at the Saudi Embassy in the UAE, stressed how eager the Kingdom always is to participate in the most important cultural events in the UAE.
He added that the Saudi pavilion includes a cultural salon for up to 60 guests, which will host 25 events during the fair, featuring Saudi, Emirati and Arab writers and intellectuals.
This year’s SIBF will host prominent figures including Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud, Algerian novelist Wassini Al-Aarj, Saudi writer Abdo Al-Khal, Kuwaiti novelist Saud Al-Sanousi and Iraqi novelist Sinan Antoon.
The UK is the guest of honor, as part of the UAE-British Cultural Year celebrations organized by the British Council to promote cultural exchange between the two countries