SFAL spotlights innovative institutions in UAE & Africa

January 27, 2025 / 1:04 PM

Sharjah24: The Sharjah Festival of African Literature (SFAL) heard from top officials representing key literary institutions from the UAE and Africa on the importance of creating and nurturing institutions that instill a love for reading in diverse communities. The discussion titled “Building Institutions That Promote Reading” was led by Dr. Abdulaziz Almusallam, Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Ifeoma Esiri, co-founder of ZODML (Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries), Nigeria; and Kenanao Phele, co-founder of the Gaborone Book Festival and Trust in Botswana.

Sharjah Institute for Heritage expands global presence in 4 countries

Dr. Abdulaziz Almusallam recounted his decades-long literary journey, which began at the age of 13 in Sharjah when he started volunteering for first cultural projects and witnessed the opening of local theaters and other centres of art and culture in the emirate. He highlighted the achievements of SIH, which now has more than 1,300 employees and four international offices.

“Since our establishment, following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, we have focused on boosting awareness about Sharjah’s and the UAE’s heritage and local publishing. We organise the Sharjah Heritage Days Festival and the Sharjah International Narrator Forum, which have become influential international platforms,” he stated.

He described SFAL as a window to enhance cultural cooperation between the UAE and Africa, noting that the festival will serve as a gateway for translating African literary works into Arabic.

Known for his efforts in preserving and sharing traditional Emirati folktales, Almusallam has earned the moniker “Fairy Tale Man” for his work in bringing stories to schoolchildren.

ZODML founder says ceaseless innovation is turning more Nigerian children into readers

Ifeoma Esiri shared the inspiring journey of her organisation, which began in Nigeria in 1999, inspired by her father. The organisation has achieved great success with an impressive network of 34 libraries across the African nation.

Esiri detailed the challenges and innovative solutions ZODML implemented to increase library engagement.“Children were not coming into the library, so we started our ‘Book Talks’ series and invited young participants from schools to be involved,” she explained. This initiative encouraged children to read selected books over a month and then discuss their interpretations and opinions at the library. To address the lack of university student participation after the establishment, ZODML introduced a writing competition. “This started to attract writers and poets, and we helped them expand their skills and capabilities,” Esiri noted, highlighting the organisation’s role in nurturing new literary talent.

Bringing literary engagement to Botswana

Kenanao Phele shared her story of establishing the country’s first book festival. “When my two sisters and I decided to start a book festival, there was nothing like it at that time in Botswana. We would have to travel to South Africa to attend book fairs and festivals,” Phele recounted.

The Gaborone Book Festival and Trust’s initiatives extend beyond the festival itself. Phele described their school outreach programme, which brings books and literary engagement to students across Botswana, including those in remote rural areas. “We have made a great effort to support the small schools in these areas, donating books and resources to make sure that all students can have the opportunities and knowledge they deserve,” she stated. Phele also emphasised the importance of collaboration, mentioning their efforts to bring authors and writers from around Africa to Botswana, inspiring local readers and writers alike.