Sharjah International Book Fair a winning bet on culture

Sharjah / Emirates Business

Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) — an annual event organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) — is a shining lodestone for Arab and global culture, successfully bringing together millions of book titles and tens of thousands of visitors, exhibitors and publishers under its umbrella. This year, celebrating its 35th anniversary, SIBF continues to expand its presence, consolidating Sharjah’s position as the Capital of Islamic and Arab culture and confidently advancing its bid to become a World Book Capital.
SIBF’s three-and-a-half decades of continuous success and excellence has happened under the vision and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who outlined his vision to a youth audience at a theatrical event on April 18, 1979 with the words: “It is time to stop the concrete revolution of civil construction in the country and replace it with a cultural revolution instead.” His Highness’s remarks were made just three years before the launch of the first edition of SIBF in January 1982, with the event constituting the first steps on a roadmap towards igniting youth interest in culture and knowledge.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan’s famous proverb “Culture is a wining bet” truly summarises the story of a book fair which was launched with only six publishers and no visitors. Some who had initially proposed the idea of the fair advised that Sharjah should shelve the event and search for alternative projects instead. However, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, an inspirational and aspirational leader, bet on culture and
the future, with the result being that SIBF emerged as one of the emirate’s and the region’s most important events. Thanks to His Highness’s vision and confidence, SIBF now enjoys a thoroughly justified reputation as a renowned international event, a cultural extravaganza and an annual activity that is much-awaited by intellectuals and lovers of the written word.
From its very onset, SIBF refused to serve as just a large marketplace for books and has grown to become a major cultural event that brings together readers, publishers and intellectuals, from the Arab world and from across the globe. Capitalising on Sharjah’s internationally-acclaimed reputation, SIBF has become a destination for specialists and experts looking for a platform that connects them with other stakeholders, as well as for ordinary readers thirsty for new literary works and titles to expand their knowledge.
With a limited number of publishers, the first edition of the Sharjah Book Fair was opened by His Highness the Ruler on January 18, 1982. As he received delegates representing Arab publishing houses, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi commented: “Bringing up children in a proper environment must be driven by faith in Arab unity, with an emphasis on the role of youth in intellectual development. Publishing houses need to play a leading role in serving these lofty principles.”
Two years later, SIBF had significantly expanded its profile, attracting more publishers and visitors, in particular prominent Arab cultural figures and intellectuals. The third edition of SIBF, which was opened on October 8, 1984, was attended by Yusuf Idris, Egypt’s great short-story writer and novelist. It was during this fair that
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah
remarked: “Sharjah’s cultural work
will witness a big leap in the coming period.” This prescience was confirmed by SIBF’s fifth edition, which saw
the participation of prominent
Arab figures in creative fields, including Syrian poet Adonis, Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha and late Sudanese novelist Al Tayyeb Saleh.
Since its inception, SIBF has been a space to enrich the cultural scene and launch new initiatives that serve not only residents in Sharjah and the UAE, but also those of all Arab countries. The last five editions have witnessed record-breaking figures, with 4.8 million people visiting the fairs from its 30th to 34th editions. The 34th edition featured 1,000 activities, an increase from the 400 taking place during its 30th edition, with exhibition space increasing from 7,600 to 16,000 square metres in the same timeframe.
Every year, SIBF hosts a long list of thought leaders and literary figures, carving out its position as one of the three most prestigious book fairs in the world. For each edition, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi gives a speech urging people to nurture their minds with literature and reading and stresses the need for all people to support the region’s publishing industry. Typical of his comments is: “The book is entitled to be accessed by all, young and old alike. The book is entitled to be relieved from all restrictions or burdens that reduce its movement as life-blood in people’s veins.” The fair has raised many inspirational slogans to remain in people’s minds, such as ‘Reading for all,’ ‘Read You Are in Sharjah’ and ‘For Love of the Written Word.’ Demonstrating His Highness’s desire to inculcate good reading habits at an early age, the theme of the 19th edition of SIBF was ‘Reading for Children.’
During SIBF’s 27th edition, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah unveiled ‘Knowledge without Borders’ as an extension of a series of initiatives that support outstanding publishing houses, creative writers and illustrators. SIBF allocated valuable cash prizes and awards that have now become an established tradition of the region’s most popular fair. With all its landmark achievements, SIBF is not unrealistically seeking to become the largest and most important book fair in the world.
SIBF has become keenly awaited by intellectuals from across the globe. Over the years, the fair has developed into a leading event where thought leaders, intellectuals and writers get together to share ideas and views during panel discussions and sessions, in the process re-energising the cultural landscape of the region and creating a must-attend calendar activity for all.
SIBF seeks to instill a lifetime love of reading in everyone, attracting children and young people in particular through its activities that combine learning and fun. The fair attracts school visits and students who come from across the UAE, with SIBF
reciprocating by arranging writers
and guests to visit schools in the UAE to share their ideas and experiences with the students.