Mauritania showcases rich literary and artistic heritage at SIBF

Represented by two publishing houses – long-time participant Dar Al Mazhab for Printing and the Diwan Chenaguita – the Mauritanian stand is showcasing more than 300 titles at the 12-day annual festival, around 70 percent written by Mauritanian authors, says Farah Suleiman, a staff at the stall. The collection spans classical Arabic commentary, pre-Islamic poetry, and modern works that reflect the country’s evolving identity.

“Sharjah has always welcomed us with warmth,” says Suleiman, who hails from the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott. “For us, this fair is not just about books. It’s about reminding readers that Mauritania, though far away, shares the same cultural heartbeat as the Arab world.”

A new name with an artistic flair

First-time participant Diwan Chenaguita has drawn crowds not only for its literary offerings that include books on Islamic calligraphy to Mauritannian fiction but also for its striking handmade mosaic artworks. However, one mosaic – a finely detailed portrait of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi is not for sale, says Suleiman. “We want to present it to SIBF’s organisers as a mark of love and respect for Sharjah and this event,” she says explaining how the team plans to gift it to the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) that’s organising the fair as a gesture of appreciation.

A long-standing literary connection

By contrast, Dar Al Mazhab has been part of the SIBF for more than seven years, maintaining a long association with Sharjah’s cultural community. Among its showcased titles are Al-Sharh Al Awsat (The Middle Commentary) and Dawawin Al-Shuara Al-Sitta Al-Jahiliyyin – a celebrated collection of works by six pre-Islamic poets whose verses helped shape classical Arabic literature.

Then there are other works by Al-Sheikh Ahmed Al-Buni, a 13th-century Sufi scholar and writer from Algeria, known for his work on esoteric topics like the mystical properties of letters, magic squares, and talismans, published by the Union of Mauritanian Writers and Authors in collaboration with Diwan Chenaguita and written by contemporary writers.

SIBF: A platform for voices from the margins

For Mauritania, participation in Sharjah’s book fair is about visibility as much as exchange. The fair, known for welcoming publishers from over 100 countries, offers smaller nations a global stage – one where culture speaks louder than geography.

“Every year we return, we feel a stronger connection,” Suleiman said. “Sharjah gives us a platform to share who we are, and to learn from the world in return.”

As visitors pause to browse the Arabic manuscripts, the scent of leather-bound books mingles with the shimmer of mosaics – a small but powerful reminder that from Nouakchott to Sharjah, the language of culture remains universal.