Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi, President of International Publishers Association, emphasized that the Association gives due care for effective and open communication with publisher unions and associations around the world to discuss developments and challenges in the publishing sector and identify new business models in line with developments in the previous phase.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi said: “We have drawn up a plan to hold a series of in-depth meetings and dialogues with publishers around the world and we started with Arab Publishers Association and Egyptian Publishers Association. The Arab publishing sector has promising opportunities, as the percentage of Arab young people is considered one of the highest percentages all over the world and this category is eager for knowledge and looks forward to getting acquainted with all new and creative aspects. Thus, this constitutes a motivation and inspiration for publishers.”
This statement was said during a meeting held between Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi and members of Arab Publishers Association and members of Egyptian Publishers Association in Cairo.
The meeting of Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi with Arab Publishers Association is the first activity that she has undertaken since holding the presidency of International Publishers Association, in a step in which she affirmed that the issues of Arab publisher are included within the main and essential issues the Association set for its new business cycle. Sheikha Bodour sent a message to Arab publishers, in which she declared that International Publishers Association is keen on interacting with them and continuing the exchange of ideas and visions to find out the factors of growth of the publishing sector in the Arab markets and define how to allow Arab books to reach global markets.
Supporting the creativity
Sheikha Al Qassimi discussed, before the participants in the meeting, the tasks of the specialized committees at International Publishers Association and showed how publishers joined it and participated in achieving its goals, noting that the Association was established to defend for publishers, unify their statements and visions and arrange their efforts to play their roles in an incubating and supportive environment throughout the world.
In addition, President of Arab Publishers Association, Mohamed Rashad, considered that the first visit of Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi, in her official capacity as President of International Publishers Association, is an appreciation and respect for Egypt's position on the map of Arab and global publishing.
He appreciated the efforts exerted by Sharjah under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in caring for and paying due attention to writers and the publishing stakeholders, pointing out that the establishment of Sharjah International Book Fair and the splendid initiatives accompanying it, represented a good chance for the publishing sector undergoing difficult circumstances.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) announced that Dubai Public Libraries received Excellence Award in "I Know" Initiative, which was launched by Arab Federation for Libraries and Information; the largest professional and scientific federation for libraries and information in the Arab world, to honor libraries addressing Corona crisis, due to the distinguished services provided by libraries and their response to the needs of the public during this emergency crisis.
Dubai Culture submitted a file in which it presented the integrated role that Dubai Public Libraries played in response to the pandemic of "Covid-19". It also shed light on its work system, which included the temporary closure of libraries, internal organization and support of library staff, through the virtual follow-up and organization of works, communicating with staff, giving health instructions for them, as well as providing them with vocational training remotely.
Externally, Dubai Culture formed the remote action team to deal with libraries beneficiaries and communicate with the public during the crisis. An action plan was developed and a regular schedule was set for cultural, technical and educational programs for children and adults in Arabic and English. Social media platforms, like "Instagram," were used to broadcast the planned cultural programs and an employee was appointed to review the Arabic content before its broadcast to the public. In addition, the public inquiries were answered and responded immediately, whether by electronic means or SMS.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, said during a press conference held by the Authority at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park yesterday, to reveal the details of the new session: “When (Sharjah International Book Fair) is mentioned, (Sharjah Great Cultural Project) is mentioned as well, and this makes us proud a lot, because in Sharjah we are reaping the fruits of the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, of more than 40 years ago, which he has been taking care of year after year until we reached this day to benefit of the results of this effort.”
He added: “The Fair started as an incubator for a few publishing houses and hundreds of visitors, and today it hosts the largest number of publishers in its history, with 2,213 publishers. The Fair became the first in the world to buy and sell copyright in 2021, and reaching this rank was never a goal for Sharjah, however, what the Fair has achieved is due to what His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah built.”
2,213 publishers from 95 countries, and 129 writers, theorists and innovators from 57 countries, will participate in the revival of 1,047 diverse cultural activities, in the 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority under the slogan "A Word to the World", during the period from the second to November 13th at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
The Fair celebrates Italy as the guest of honor during its new edition, and sends to its audience and guests through a rich program that covers the axes of Italian culture through activities that address various groups and interests, and provide a comprehensive and vivid picture of the Italian scene, and its civilizational, cultural and artistic richness.
During the press conference, the Consul General of Italy in Dubai, Giuseppe Venociaro, said: "We are pleased to have chosen Italy as the guest of honor for the 41st edition of the Fair, as this confirms the depth of relations between Italy and the UAE at various levels, especially in the cultural and literary sector."
For his part, the Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, Mansour Al-Hassani, reviewed the schedule of events related to the participation of publishers in this year's fair. The most prominent foreign participations were the presence of publishing houses from India, the United Kingdom and Italy, and all participants display more than 1.5 million titles on an area of more than 18,000 square meters.
The Fair will host the “Publishers Conference” in its 12th edition, over three days, from the 30th of this month to the first of November.
As part of its continuous interest in children, the Fair this year dedicated 623 activities for youngsters, ranging from workshops, plays, and entertainment and educational performances. The Fair organizes 123 shows divided between theatrical performances, dance performances, and touring shows.
For his part, the Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, Mansour Al-Hassani, reviewed the schedule of events related to the participation of publishers in this year's exhibition. The most prominent foreign participations were the presence of publishing houses from India, the United Kingdom and Italy, and all participants display more than 1.5 million titles on an area of more than 18,000 square meters.
The International Publishers Association announced the election and appointment of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi as the President of the Association, starting from its next session of 2021 during the General Assembly of International Publishers Association, which was held via "Zoom" platform, with the participation of a group of members of the Association.
During the past two years, Sheikha Bodour held the position of Vice-President of International Publishers Association.
The selection of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi for this prominent international position, which is considered one of the most influential positions in the book and knowledge industry, constituted an Arab and international precedent that embodies the efforts of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi in supporting the publishing industry and publishers at the local and global levels, through a series of international initiatives within which she exerted great efforts to serve the publishing sector in various countries of the world. This selection is deemed an international honoring for the cultural march of the Emirate of Sharjah in particular, and the United Arab Emirates, in general.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has also made many achievements that have a great impact on the course of Emirati cultural work, as she founded the Emirates Publishers Association in 2009.
Sheikha played a prominent role in allowing Sharjah to get the title of "World Book Capital of 2019", making Sharjah the first Gulf city to receive this title and the third in the Arab world and the Middle East region, since Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi chaired the advisory committee and the office of Sharjah as World Book Capital.
