SHARJAH: It all starts with a word. Through meaning, the mind gives words shape and form, which helps build civilisations and raise generations.
This was the main message at the 12-day 41st Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which opened Nov 1 at the Expo Centre Sharjah – the brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
A total of 2,213 publishers from 95 countries are taking part in this year’s SIBF under the theme “Spread the Word”. Daily Express, as Sabah’s top newspaper, has been a select media guest for several years.
The event is participated by great writers, intellectuals, publishers, and thought leaders from the region and around the world.
“The opening of the 41st SIBF marks the start of 12 days of cultural activities. It is an opportunity for children, youth, and families from all over the UAE to learn more about arts and sciences and connect with people from all over the world through books of different genres,” said Sheikh Dr Sultan.
“At the last book fair, 17 volumes of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language were released. This year, we are releasing a new set of 19 volumes.
“These 36 books contain information about nine letters of the Arabic alphabet,” he said, thanking researchers, linguists, and experts who worked hard to make this great achievement possible.
The Sharjah Ruler also honoured Sudanese historian Yusuf Fadl Hasan the Cultural Personality of the Year award. The Italian Ambassador to UAE represented Italy, the Guest of Honour nation of the 41st SIBF.
Yusuf recalled that His Highness came to Khartoum in 1974 and was glad to know he was interested in what was being done at the African and Asian Studies Institute.
“I will always be grateful for his work to promote communication between the Arabic countries and the African continent, as well as for continuing to help this process by hosting conferences and other events in Sharjah,” he said.
In his address, Sharjah Book Authority Chairman Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri said that SIBF had become the largest book fair in the world in terms of buying and selling copyrights for the second year in a row, in 2022.
He said it has a history that spans 40 over years and has cemented the foundation of the emirate’s future for a century ahead.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo asserted that Sharjah is the Cultural Capital of the world and has “spread the word of books and knowledge across nations.”
Thanking the Sharjah Ruler, he said: “Your Highness has sculpted the name of Sharjah in the history of culture.”
He added that through its activities as Guest of Honour at SIBF 2022, visitors can discover the common values shared between Italy and the Arab nations.
He said that many common words and names in his home country come from Arabic.
“These names show that we share a history. By having the same history, we have the same values, and through these cultural values, we can get past divisive plans and build a future for the next generation based on openness and knowledge,” he said.
