The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has emerged as a cornerstone of cultural and literary achievements in the UAE, playing a pivotal role in fostering the growth of Emirati publishing. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, hailed the event as a beacon of creativity, knowledge, and heritage, underscoring its transformative impact on the nation’s publishing landscape.

Al Kous highlighted that SIBF, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has evolved from a modest initiative into a globally influential platform. “For decades, this pioneering cultural event has been more than just a festival; it has been a crucible in which the future of Emirati publishing is being shaped,” he said.

Elevating Emirati Publishing to Global Heights

Since its inception, SIBF has been a driving force in transforming the UAE’s publishing industry. Established in 2009, the Emirates Publishers Association has grown alongside the fair, witnessing a remarkable increase in Emirati publishers. Initially numbering in the dozens, the industry now boasts hundreds of publishers, many of whom have gained recognition on the regional and global stages.

SIBF’s recognition as the world’s top platform for buying and selling publishing rights for three consecutive years further underscores its role in enabling Emirati publishers to access international markets. This visibility and access have contributed significantly to the maturity and competitiveness of Emirati publishing businesses, enabling them to export literature that reflects the UAE’s rich cultural heritage in world-class formats.

Empowering Emirati Authors and Women Creatives

The fair’s influence extends beyond publishers to authors and creatives. A growing number of Emirati writers participate in SIBF annually, drawn by its workshops, events, and networking opportunities. These platforms have inspired young Emiratis to embrace literature as a means of expressing their inner thoughts and sharing the stories of their homeland.

Moreover, SIBF has become a vital incubator for Emirati women’s creativity in the publishing sector. From managing leading publishing houses to crafting distinguished literary works, Emirati women have leveraged the fair to establish a robust presence in the industry. Their contributions continue to enrich the literary scene and inspire future generations.

Bridging Publishers, Authors, and Readers

SIBF’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading has created a dynamic environment where publishers, authors, and readers converge to celebrate literature. This unique ecosystem has cultivated strong relationships between creators, whose high-quality works resonate with audiences, and publishers, who propel these stories onto the global stage.

The fair’s legacy as a cultural lever for the UAE is deeply rooted in its ability to bridge the gap between local talent and international audiences. Through its integrated approach, SIBF has become a fertile ground for collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas that benefit the entire publishing value chain.

Sharjah as a Global Cultural Hub

Sharjah’s position as a global hub for cultural exchange owes much to SIBF’s enduring success. The fair’s alignment with the vision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, honorary president of the Emirates Publishers Association, reflects the emirate’s commitment to elevating the UAE’s publishing industry to international prominence.

Al Kous emphasized that the fair’s role in promoting Emirati culture extends far beyond its borders. By providing a platform for Emirati creativity to thrive, SIBF has become a vital component of the UAE’s cultural and civilizational narrative, connecting the nation’s literary achievements with a global audience.

The Future of Emirati Publishing

As the UAE continues its confident strides toward the future, SIBF’s legacy of creativity and inspiration will remain a guiding force. Al Kous concluded, “The exhibition’s legacy of creativity and inspiration will remain a window for the cultural and civilizational project of Sharjah and the Emirates to the region and the world.”

The Sharjah International Book Fair is not just a celebration of literature but a transformative event shaping the future of the UAE’s publishing industry. From empowering women to nurturing young authors, the fair serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity, solidifying its place as a cultural and literary cornerstone in the global arena.

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association: Sharjah International Book Fair is a cultural lever and an incubator for Emirati women’s creativity in the publishing industry

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, stressed : “The Sharjah International Book Fair is a beacon of cultural and literary achievement, and a platform that celebrates creativity, knowledge and heritage. For decades, this pioneering cultural event has been more than just a festival; it has been a crucible in which the future of Emirati publishing is being shaped, and a platform for the voices that shape our national cultural identity to meet and emerge into the global literary scene.”

“Since its inception, the Sharjah International Book Fair has been a transformative force in the UAE’s publishing world, a force laid by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to transform what was then a fledgling publishing industry into a vibrant stage for storytelling and cultural exchange today. Here, the seeds of imagination are planted, nurtured by workshops, global collaborations and the unwavering support of institutions such as the Emirates Publishers Association, which was launched by the vision of its founder and honorary president, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, to elevate the UAE’s publishing industry to the world level,” he added.

Speaking about the role played by the Sharjah International Book Fair in supporting the publishing community, Al Kous said that Emirati publishers have contributed to the prosperity of the local publishing movement; and have carried the essence of our culture to bookshelves all over the world. Over the past few years, according to Al Kous, the Sharjah International Book Fair has also played an important role in the rise of Emirati publishing houses. In 2009, when the association was founded, the number of Emirati publishers was modest, not exceeding dozens. Since then, this number has grown significantly, to include hundreds of publishers, both male and female, who have become icons in the publishing scene at the regional level.

Al-Kous pointed out that this is partly due to cultural platforms, such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, which ranked first in the world in buying and selling publishing rights for three consecutive years. . On the one hand, the fair provided visibility, opportunities for collaboration and access to international markets for Emirati publishers, contributing to the maturity, prosperity and competitiveness of their businesses. Today, Emirati publishers not only present local creativity to readers in the UAE, but also export literature that reflects our unique cultural heritage to an international audience in attractive, world-class books.

On the other hand, Al Kous considered that this positive impact of the exhibition was reflected on Emirati writers. The huge number of events, workshops and networking opportunities provided by the exhibition were a motivating factor for young Emiratis to advance the arts of literature and express their inner feelings through writing. The number of Emirati authors participating each year continues to grow, reflecting the abundance of talents that tell the stories of the homeland.

Al-Kous pointed out that the exhibition was an incubator for Emirati women’s creativity in the field of publishing, providing them with an exceptional platform to showcase their talents and establish a strong presence in the literary scene. From leading publishing houses to writing distinguished works, Emirati women found in the Sharjah International Book Fair a wide space to convey their words, enrich the industry and inspire future generations.

He continued: “We should not forget the role of the exhibition in promoting the culture of reading in the UAE, and creating a vibrant environment that brings together publishers, authors and readers to celebrate knowledge and literature. Thus, the Sharjah Book Fair has been a lever for the Emirati publisher and his works, which are based on the creativity of the author and depend for their sustainability on the reader’s interest, and a fertile ground that has yielded an integrated relationship between our creators who produce high-quality works, and our publishers who take them by the hand to broad horizons within the borders of the UAE and abroad.”

Rashid Al Kous concluded his speech by saying: “As we move towards the future of the UAE publishing industry with confident steps, the exhibition’s legacy of creativity and inspiration will remain a window for the cultural and civilizational project of Sharjah and the Emirates to the region and the world . ”

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