Sharjah’s author-emir, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, center, and the Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, to Sheikh Sultan’s right, are greeted by Sharjah Book Authority CEO Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri and Sharjah Publishing City’s Mansour Al Hassani, together on the right, at the opening of the first Sharjah Literature Festival. Image: SBA, Nabs Ahmedi
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Bodour Al Qasimi: ‘Connecting the Past With the Present’
As we’d reported on January 9, the United Arab Emirates’ state of Sharjah inaugurated a new five-day Sharjah Literary Festival this past weekend, to “showcase Emirati creativity while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a vibrant hub for literature and culture.”
Accomplished as a joint project between the Sharjah Book Authority chaired by the Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and the Emirates Publishers Association of which she is the honorary president, this event’s patron was Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who participated personally in some of the program’s diverse events and settings introduced by the Book Authority CEO Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri.
The festival was set around nine core themes encompassing various aspects of literature, culture, and various events to form what’s described as a hub for exchanging visions and ideas among local literary and cultural leaders. It also is designed to provide an opportunity for support of Emirati publishers and to bolster the UAE’s publishing sector.
In a statement provided to Publishing Perspectives today (January 22), Bodour Al Qasimi—a past president of the International Publishers Association (IPA) and the president of the American University at Sharjah—is quoted, saying, “‘The Sharjah Literature Festival is a celebration of our shared stories and a platform to nurture Emirati creativity.
“By connecting the past with the present, this festival elevates the transformative power of literature to inspire progress and cultural dialogue. These stories will resonate not only in the UAE but also across the world, building bridges of understanding and imagination.”
The Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi at the inaugural edition of the new Sharjah Literary Festival at University City. Image: SBA, Nabs Ahmedi
‘Emirati Tales’
The opening ceremony of the festival, presented by author Sheikha Al Mutairi, included a blend of visual and musical arts based on the beauty of words and culture. Emirati artist and calligrapher Abdullah Alastad staged a live artistic performance showcasing Arabic calligraphy and accompanied by a poetic narration by Zigzag Ghanem, who recited a collection of Arabic poetry verses.
The festival included a book fair with representative work of 41 Emirati publishers and a variety of associated arts and settings, from local poetry and musical composition, including 20 cultural events, eight workshops, five musical performances, all placed in five shopping complexes and dining experiences bringing together 10 Sharjan restaurants.
In a phrasing that reflects both on the prolific writings of Sharjah’s author-emir, Sheikh Sultan, and of course the traditions of Arabic literature, the festival has surfaced the idea that “‘Emirati Tales’ are foundational to the future cultural aspirations of the emirate, inspiring future generations both locally and regionally.”
As we’ve reported, this festival now gives way to another first, the Sharjah Festival of African Literature across the coming weekend, highlighting “Africa’s creative heritage and deepening its connections with the Arab world.”
Included among expected guests are the Nobel laureates in literature Wole Soyinka and Abdulrazak Gurnah, who Publishing Perspectives interviewed at Sharjah shortly after his win was announced in 2021.
Key Emirati authors anticipated to be speaking are Abdulaziz Almusallam, chair of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Mariam Alhashmi, a literary critic; and writer Salha Obaid. They’ll join poet and writer Shaikha Al Mutairi Ali Al Abdan; poet and media personality Mohammed Al-Habsi; and writer Eman Alyousuf.
And more about the just-closed new Sharjah Literature Festival is here.
Image: From the site for the new Sharjah Literature Festival
More from Publishing Perspectives on international events is here, more on Sharjah Book Authority and its programs is here, and more on the United Arab Emirates is here.