On the importance of organising the Fair, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the SBA, said: “The Emirati Book Fair continues the cultural movement led by the Emirate of Sharjah under the directives and visions of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who set advancing the book on the list of the emirate’s civilised project and making it a pillar of sustainable development, as it embodies on the ground the extent of interest in the Emirati writers and authors, and its message is integrated with efforts to develop and support the book industry and the production of Arab knowledge and its global counterpart.
He added: "The launch of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah of his new book at the Fair carried great and many messages to all Emirati writers and authors. It is an affirmation that the Fair and the Emirate of Sharjah are the home of every Emirati writer, and that the arrival of the Emirati cultural discourse to the Arab and global arenas begins with the vigorous and robust national presence and the live and fruitful communication with book makers in the Emirates.”
For his part, Sultan Al-Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, stressed that the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for Emirati writers and authors is incessant, and that the efforts made by Sharjah under His Highness’s leadership are exceptional and record the history of an unprecedented renaissance of Emirati cultural movement, pointing out that the exhibition embodies the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah towards interest in the local creative product, and achieves his aspirations in forming an incubator for local writers and publishers to exchange experiences and expertise.
Al-Amimi explained that every cultural event that brings together writers and publishers with readers and the public is a great and important addition to the local cultural scene, pointing out that the Fair urges every Emirati writer to make more efforts to enrich the creative scene and invest the opportunities available to market the book and contribute to spreading the culture of reading.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said: “The participation of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage in the Emirati Book Fair stems from its constant keenness on effective and qualitative participation in various cultural events, especially those related to the book industry and publishing in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, aimed at promoting writers and authors.”
He pointed out that the Institute is participating in this second edition of the Fair with a selection of its Emirati publications, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, books and publications that enrich the field of historical, heritage and cultural studies, adding that this edition will open the way to enhance Emirati writers’ status.
On the significance of the Fair, Dr. Youssef Eidabi, the cultural advisor to the administration of Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies (Dara) and the General Manager of Al Qasimi Publications, said: “The Emirati Book Fair is an important event because it is based on the national dimension and on the grounds of Emirati publishing houses. After more than forty years of the launch of the cultural project of the Emirate of Sharjah, we have had a large number of local publishing houses concerned with Emirati books, and I hope that the exhibition will develop into a national field and a broad incubator for Emirati books, which represent identity, memory, the future and Emirati creativity.”
For his part, Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), said: “The Emirati Book Fair is a distinguished addition to the Sharjah cultural events agenda, and will have a direct impact on the Emirati publishing industry, especially as it comes in the context of integrated and multiple efforts that have dimensions and impact, including qualitative initiatives to promote the culture of reading, international participation in Arab and foreign book forums, and the exhibitions, events and awards that the country is witnessing to advance Emirati writers and authors.”
Al Kous added: “EPA’s participation in the Fair comes through the platform initiative, where we display the publications of a number of Emirati publishers as part of continuous efforts to support Emirati book makers and enhance the size of their presence and participation in local and international forums and book fairs, and we hope that the exhibition will be an opportunity for them to reach readers in the UAE, and opening the way for them to enhance cooperation and joint work with other publishing houses, cultural institutions and libraries.”
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