SIBF announces Sharjahâs nomination to be named the Book Capital for 2014
In honor of the delegations participating at the 29th International Publishers Congress, which is taking place from 12-14 June in Cape Town, South Africa, The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has announced the nomination of Sharjah to be named the Book Capital of the Arab world for 2014. The announcement was made by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Amri, Director of SIBF, during the gala dinner hosted by the “Sharjah Book Fair”.
Held under the theme, “Publishing for a NewEra”, the three-day event features several breakaway sessions and panel discussions covering topics and issues related to the book and publishing industry, offering lobal industry leaders a platform to meet, network and share information and knowledge.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Amri said, “We are always keen to participate in global cultural events in keeping with the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah."
He said the SIBF was eager to communicate with publishers and all professionals involved in the book industry from all around the world, and hence no efforts are spared to participate in any event or forum that offers the SIBF the opportunity to be updated on the latest developments in the book industry, and to connect with all parties involved, including authors, publishers and translators.
Al Amir added, "The nomination of Sharjah to be named the Book Capital for 2014 from among 11 other international destinations is yet again evidence of the highly reputed cultural status of Sharjah, which comes as part of our quest to add a yet another feather to the Emirate’s cap of landmark cultural achievements."
"Seeking to have Sharjah recognized as the book capital is a major responsibility and we are very keen on extending bridges of communication with other cultures and civilizations in the world," Al Amri said.
He highlighted the role that the Sharjah International Book Fair has played by since its establishment, as well as its mission to enhance the cultural scene in the UAE and Arab region, promote culture-related issues, and improve the quality and content of books.
“The Management of Sharjah Book Fair is working to develop its services and strategies to keep abreast with the latest developments in the publishing sector and overcome challenges facing the book industry and all those who are involved in this industry, including authors, publishers, translators and illustrators,” Al Amri said, and went on to affirm the SIBF’s pledge to provide every possible form of support to enhance awareness about the importance of reading in personality development.
He praised the excellent organisation of the congress, which saw the participation of more than 700 publishers from over than 45 countries, and emphasised the opportunity it offered to promote the Sharjah International Book Fair, as well as to get acquainted with the interests and needs of the various participants, who included publishers, managers of publishing houses and CEOs of trading associations.
Al Amri underlined the importance of participating in such events and the great benefit that can be derived from attending the sessions of the three-day Congress, which discussed 20 themes and vital issues related to the book industry and during which presentations were made by senior figures and book industry leaders in from all over the world.He lauded the topics discussed during the event, which offered publishers and professionals in the book industry a very important platform to meet and talk about the challenges they are facing, exchange ideas and experiences and speak about their development plans.
Among the most important themes discussed included publishing in the digital environment, publishing across borders, and the responsibility of governments towards the proper development and implementation of policies and education publishing. The conference also touched on issues like the new deals to be concluded between authors, translators and agents, the freedom to Publish in Africa, digital content in education and global trends, reading tax, computing and using the Internet if it needs collective licensing, children’s books for cyber kids, the importance of fighting piracy and the transition challenges from the paper to the digital system.
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