Sharjah 24: Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Cása Árabe (The Arabian House) officials have recently met to explore ways to strengthen collaboration, discussing an action plan to promote Arab and Emirati cultures in Spain and wider Europe, the two sides decided upon via the signing of an agreement in 2019. They include organising joint cultural events in Cása Árabe’s headquarters in Madrid and Cordoba, as well as planning Cása Árabe’s participation in the upcoming 40th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) this November, which will host Spain as Guest of Honour (GoH).
The 2019 agreement had been signed on the sidelines of an official visit by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to Madrid in October and seeks to strengthen collaborative efforts between Sharjah and Spain in several areas through their regional and international networks as well as opening the door to cultural exchange through mutually beneficial programmes.
The discussion was part of a meeting headed by His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, and Pedro Martínez-Avial, Director General of Casa Árabe, held at the Cása Árabe headquarters in Madrid in the presence of representatives from both sides. The two parties discussed and agreed upon a series of events showcasing Arab and Emirati culture and literature that will be held during Sharjah's participation in the Madrid Book Fair - LIBER next October.
One of the key highlights of the sessions will be a review of the theatrical works of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, including those that have been translated into Spanish. Sharjah will also organise literary seminars to highlight the creative and cultural movements in the Arab world, including the latest research that has been done on the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy.
His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri said: “In line with the vision of His Highness The Ruler of Sharjah, we believe that anything founded on knowledge and creativity is bound to be sustainable, and can be passed on to future generations. With this in mind, we are committed to partnering with world’s leading cultural organisations, and we find Cása Árabe to be an ideal platform for sharing Emirati and Arab culture not only with Spain, but also with the wider European continent.”
“SBA has enjoyed a rewarding partnership with Cása Árabe for years, primarily because of shared goals of promoting Arab history and culture worldwide. With the implementation of the agreement we signed in 2019 in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, we hope to continue our work with renewed vigour, especially during Sharjah’s participation in international events in Spain and other European countries,” he added.
Pedro Martínez-Avial praised the consistent and far-sighted efforts of His Highness in promoting multifaceted cultural dialogues between Arabs and the rest of the world, which has resulted in the birth of an important body of creative, artistic and research works. He added that this would not have been possible without the inter-cultural communication opportunities facilitated by Sharjah.
He said: "Our partnership with Sharjah, as represented by the Sharjah Book Authority, is a matter of pride and joy for us. We look forward to a future where the Spanish and the wider European community enjoy a closer and more sustainable relationship that not only promotes the richness of Arabic culture, literature and arts to non-Arabs, but especially highlights to them its authenticity and uniqueness, especially since it has had a major influence on the Spanish culture.”
A visit to the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
The SBA delegation also visited the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), a public body under the aegis of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation was received by Guzman Palacios Fernandez, Director of Culture and Scientific Relations, AECID; Luisa Mora Villarejo, Director of Islamic Library of AECID; and Elena Gonzalez, Head of the Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Department, AECID.
The visit included introductory meetings followed by a tour of the Islamic Library at AECID, which hosts rare manuscripts and features a special section, showcasing the publications of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah that have been translated to Spanish and other foreign languages. These publications were presented by SBA to the Islamic Library at AECID when Sharjah participated as guest of honour at the 2019 edition of Madrid Book Fair - LIBER.
Guzman Palacios Fernandez said: “We are extremely pleased with the efforts led by Sharjah, as these initiatives have had a far-reaching and positive impact not only on the Arab region, but also globally. Sharjah serves as a leading role model in development through investing in culture and knowledge, and we are happy to partner with them.”
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