Sharjah Book Fair: Bridging East and West through Literature

Sharjah, UAE. The phrase “Between You and a Book” echoes across Sharjah, an emirate adjacent to Dubai, as the 44th International Book Fair unfolds from November 5 to 16. This year, Greece is the Guest of Honor at this significant event held at Sharjah’s Expo Centre, fostering a cultural exchange between Greek and Emirati traditions.

A Literary Haven

The slogan, “Between You and a Book,” may seem intimate, but it reflects Sharjah’s unwavering public policy to promote personal and territorial reading across all levels, especially among children, adolescents, and young adults. The authorities have invested heavily in infrastructure and programs, such as the House of Wisdom—a monumental public library and arts center spanning 12,000 square meters—aiming to establish itself as a literary hub and build a knowledge-driven society.

A Global Literary Gathering

More than 2,500 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries converge at this crucial book fair, the most significant in Arabic language publishing. With 311 million speakers worldwide, Arabic is the fifth most spoken language. The interest in Spanish-language literature is growing, thanks to a burgeoning community of Hispanophones in the UAE, comparable in size to cities like Cuernavaca or Tepic.

“This is a significant market for Latin American publishers, and demand for buying and selling rights—both for translation into Arabic and original publication—is increasing,” Jorge Gutiérrez Brianza, Senior Vice President of International Sales at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), told El Economista.

Engaging Young Minds

Unlike previous days, where school buses paint the perimeter with yellow, this weekend sees children roaming freely through the halls or exploring stands, participating in over 750 workshops tailored just for them. They learn about artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, finance and business, creative writing, translation, screenwriting, and even create comics with AI. They listen to poetry, engage in storytelling, paint, and craft manualities.

Learning from Greek Traditions

The literature and cultural traditions of Greece have been a prominent feature at this year’s fair. Renowned figures like Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Irish Booker Prize-winning author Paul Lynch have captivated audiences with their diverse topics.

Egyptology’s Allure

Zahi Hawass, a globally recognized Egyptologist and snake charmer, drew large crowds eager to learn about the latest developments in Egyptian archaeology. He discussed his dream of discovering Imhotep’s tomb, the architect of the first pyramid, and Queen Nefertiti.

Greece’s Cultural Tie

Sharjah and Greece share deep historical, cultural, and intellectual bonds. A group of Greek theater performers contributed to the fair’s atmosphere with modern Greek songs inspired by contemporary poetry. Unexpectedly, Greece’s Deputy Culture Minister, Iasonas Fotilas, joined them to sing “Ta Paidia tou Peiraia” (The Children of Piraeus).

Literature as Empathy Exercise

Ireland’s Paul Lynch and Nigeria’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie share similarities beyond their 1977 birthdates. Both write urgently, reflecting the concerns of their time through literature—fear, freedom, war, racism, gender violence, and crises. Their works underscore literature’s role in universalizing empathy during tumultuous times.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a bestselling African author residing in the US, presented her latest novel “Dream Count” at the fair. The book explores the dreams of four women and the obstacles hindering their growth, echoing the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.