Sharjah Participates in 2024 Seoul International Book Fair
Seoul, The Gulf Observer: The pavilion of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at the 2024 Seoul International Book Fair, the largest event of its kind in the Republic of Korea, became a vibrant center of cultural exchange, featuring a diverse collection of Emirati and Arab books. This participation marks a significant step in elevating Arab and Emirati culture on the international stage, fostering cross-cultural communication with Korean and global publishers, and strengthening ties between Sharjah and South Korea’s literary and cultural community.
From June 26 to 30, the SBA highlighted Sharjah’s diverse cultural programming to over 350 Korean publishers, 122 international publishing houses from 18 countries, 180 authors, and numerous visitors. Key events showcased included the renowned Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).
The SBA also promoted Sharjah’s calendar of specialized international conferences, such as the Sharjah Publishers Conference, Sharjah Booksellers Conference, and Sharjah Animation Conference, along with prestigious international awards like the annual Sharjah Translation ‘Turjuman’ Award, Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Award, and SIBF Awards. These efforts aim to raise awareness of Sharjah’s commitment to fostering creativity, translation, and illustration in the Arab publishing world.
Presentations underscored Sharjah and the UAE’s role in developing the region’s creative industries and enhancing its literary and artistic movements on a global scale. The SBA showcased its successful track record in organizing world-class events and forging partnerships with leading cultural institutions, further cementing Sharjah’s position as a global cultural hub.
Khoula Al Mujaini, Director of Events and Marketing at SBA, emphasized that the emirate’s participation in the Seoul International Book Fair supports the UAE’s goals of strengthening cross-cultural communication. “Building upon Sharjah’s participation last year as the Guest of Honour provided an exceptional opportunity to showcase Arab and Emirati culture on the global stage, in alignment with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This experience, supported by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, allowed Sharjah to broaden the horizons of cultural exchange with the Korean audience and the international cultural elite,” said Al Mujaini.
“We believe that books serve as a powerful bridge connecting nations, and our participation reflects our dedication to furthering mutual understanding and global cultural dialogue. By highlighting Sharjah’s role as a leading cultural destination through our creative initiatives, we aim to create new opportunities for exchange and understanding with Korean civilization and other world cultures. We are proud to showcase success stories that reflect the UAE’s progress in consolidating its position as a global cultural and literary hub while underscoring Sharjah’s authentic voice in the global industry,” she added.
