"Kitab" Observes Violence in Latin American Novels

Mexican novelist Jorge Bowlby, whose image graces the cover of the issue, is one of the most influential writers in contemporary Spanish-language literature, basing his literary project on themes of history, politics, violence, and war.

Issue 81 of the magazine, published by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), includes topics on writing, publishing, and reading, including interviews with American translator of Arabic literature William Maynard Hutchins, Moroccan thinker Said Nachid, and Spanish traveler and writer Jordi Esteva, author of Socotra: the land of geniuses.

Books bring people together

His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA and Editor-in-Chief of Kitab magazine, wrote the editorial for the July issue, titled "Sharjah's Message in the Brazilian Capital." The editorial read: "Books bring people together from different countries, nationalities, and cultures. This is the message of Sharjah, the World Book Capital for 2019, to its Brazilian counterpart, Rio de Janeiro, which UNESCO has crowned as the World Book Capital for 2025."

Sharjah's cultural and civilizational renaissance project

Al Ameri added that the 22nd Rio International Book Biennale, the largest book fair in Latin America, was a meeting place for the two cultural capitals, through a programme organised by SBA to introduce the fair's audience and participants from around the world to Sharjah's cultural and civilizational renaissance project, led by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has sponsored it for five decades."

Ahmed Al Ameri added that "Sharjah had a remarkable presence at the International Book Fair in the Brazilian capital, under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, the architect of Sharjah's World Book Capital title."

Sharjah.. a cultural hub

Al Ameri explained that the SBA organised numerous events during the fair, from June 13 to 22, featuring Emirati authors and writers, and provided visitors to the SBA's pavilion with Emirati books translated into Portuguese. He emphasised the importance of Sharjah's participation in the fair "to convey the voice of Arab culture, enhance joint cooperation, and promote Sharjah's rich cultural heritage."

The new issue of the magazine includes reviews of books published in Arabic, Spanish, English, Dutch, and French, as well as news of new releases and articles on authors and writers from Iraq, France, the United States, the Congo, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco, the Netherlands, Jordan, the UAE, Mexico, and Spain.

Al Ameri wrote an article titled "The Power of Culture and the Culture of Power," in which he addressed manifestations of injustice and resistance to it. He stated, "In times of adversity, the role of culture in the lives of nations becomes more prominent, as it is primarily a stronghold and the profound meaning of identity and existence. Consciousness, which is a qualitative product of culture, is the deciding factor." He concluded his article by saying, "Finally and always, those who embrace the power of culture build bridges, and those who embrace the culture of power erect walls."