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.
Mexico is honoring the Emirate of Sharjah, guest of honor at the 36th edition of the Mexico City International Book Fair, from November 26 to December 4. During its attendance, Sharjah displays 57 Emirati publications translated into Spanish and exhibits a wealth of cultural, literary, media, artistic and heritage events and activities, including 27 sessions, presented by 20 cultural institutions and organizations and 24 Emirati and Arab writers and creators. The Sharjah Book Authority, which is involved under its umbrella: Sharjah Publishing City, Translation Grant, Sharjah International Agency for Literary Rights and the Arab Forum of Children's Book Publishers, "oversees the Emirate's program in the exhibition.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, stated: “In this global celebration of the cultural project of the Emirate of Sharjah, we reap the fruits of a wise vision developed by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, in which he emphasized that the strongest bonds that unite the world’s civilizations are the bonds of culture With all its manifestations, this is why we embody in the activities of Sharjah, the guest of honor of the Mexico International Book Fair, the common aesthetic size that brings together Arab culture with its counterpart in Mexico, and highlight the unique creative identity of the UAE through its symbols of writers, artists and creators.
The Emirate offers a rich cultural program that embodies the UAE's cultural message and helps introduce the Mexican people to Arab culture, as it includes a number of book launch parties, readings, folklore performances and poetry evenings.
The activities of the Emirate's program take place in a huge pavilion to which the exhibition management has allocated a large space at the entrance of the exhibition, and it includes a number of discussion sessions, dialogue seminars and cultural, media and film forums, including a symposium entitled "Arabic Vocabulary and its Impact on the Spanish Language" and a discussion session entitled "Marketing Trends." Books," and a media forum on the role of the media in strengthening ties between the UAE and Mexico, and another cultural one on travel literature in the two countries.
Arabic calligraphy features prominently in the exhibition, where representatives from Sharjah discuss its history, origins and impact on world cultures.
The Ministry of Culture and Youth has announced yesterday the start of the "Reading Month 2022" under the theme " The UAE Reads ", embodying the national vision, that seeks to pave the way for a generation of readers, strengthening the country's position as a capital of content, culture and knowledge.
The United Arab Emirates celebrates Reading Month every year, in accordance with the decision issued by the Council of Ministers, which established the month of March annually as National Reading Month, a milestone that sets a new pace in the development of knowledge societies in the country. The Ministry of Culture and Youth is committed to its implementation, in full coordination with the relevant federal and local authorities.
The Reading Month mirrors the eagerness of the United Arab Emirates' leadership, headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rachid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The objective of the project is to foster a culture of science and knowledge, and to bring to fruition a series of cultural, intellectual, and cognitive projects launched by the state since its inception.
A key national goal of this initiative is to ensure that reading behavior reaches 50% of Emirati adults by 2026 and 80% of students, with an average of 20 books read by students per year on a voluntary basis. Another goal of this strategy is that the percentage of Emirati parents who read for their children should be no less than about 50%.
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said: "Reading is intricately linked to the UAE's efforts both to shore up the knowledge economy as a platform to step into the future and to sustain the country's progress and the well-being of its people. Indeed, without reading, there is no way for the educated and innovative citizen to embrace the foundations of the knowledge economy, to drive the process of sustainable development, to consolidate the reading culture in society and to make initiatives to upgrade the level of knowledge and culture a top priority in the annual agenda of government and private bodies.
His Highness the President of the State has enacted the National Reading Law, the first of its kind in the world, with the aim of underpinning the development of human capital, contributing to the strengthening of mental and cognitive capacities, supporting national intellectual production and enhancing knowledge. societies in the country. The National Reading Law establishes binding frameworks for all government bodies in the educational, community, media and cultural sectors to further reinforce reading among all groups in society at all ages.
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.
