Sharjah is 'guest of honour' at the book fair in Mexico

on Dec 09, 2021

The official 'Guest of Honour' title for the 36th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair has been awarded to Sharjah (FIL 2022). As a result, it becomes the first city in Mexico to exhibit Emirati and Arab culture at a book festival. During a ceremony held at the conclusion of the 35th edition of FIL, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), got the title from Manuel Gerardo Talavera, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru. The Guadalajara International Book Fair is Latin America's most prominent cultural event, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Sharjah has been a participant at FIL for a decade and is South America's only Arab cultural ambassador. "Sharjah has been pioneering cross-cultural dialogue with nations all over the world, exposing Arab culture and literature, and highlighting notable Emirati works," stated Ahmed Al Ameri. Today, simply stating "We are from Sharjah" is sufficient, as the emirate has become synonymous with books, literature, and knowledge on a global scale. Participating as a Guest of Honour at FIL 2022 is a great way to connect Latin America to Emirati and Arab cultures, especially because there has been a lot of enthusiasm among Spanish-speaking visitors to learn more about Arab literature and notable intellectuals." Sharjah will host a vibrant cultural programme involving seminars and talks, traditional Emirati art and craft, traditional shows displaying traditional Emirati song and dance, and highlighting Arabic culture via diverse creative forms as the FIL 2022 Guest of Honour. "With Sharjah's attendance as Guest of Honour at FIL 2022, we are looking forward to presenting the rich Arabic culture and the respected cultural history of the region to our viewers here," stated Ral Padilla López, president of FIL. "Sharjah is the most symbolic representation of the vast Arab world's culture and identity, and its presence will enrich the book fair, support cultural exchange between us and Arab nations, and pave the way for constructive dialogues between Mexican and Arab intellectuals and writers," says the organiser.

Source: khaleejtimes.com