The Emirate of Sharjah, with its significant cultural project, will be the first Arab Guest of Honor at the Thessaloniki International Book Fair in Greece, taking place from May 16 to 19. The event will showcase the current and historical cultural and creative movements in the UAE and the Arab world, featuring participation from more than 20 countries and opening avenues for dialogue and collaboration among book creators, translation and publishing institutions, and knowledge producers through more than 25 diverse activities. This celebration of Sharjah is a recognition of its contributions to supporting creative and knowledge production in the Arab region and its impact on expanding global publishing markets by connecting East and West.
The selection of Sharjah honors its centrality among the capitals of knowledge in the world and continues a series of accolades it has received over the past ten years, during which it has been a guest of honor at several of the largest international fairs from Latin America to Europe, Africa, the Arab region, and East Asia.
During its participation at the fair, Sharjah will present a comprehensive program of activities involving various cultural, knowledge, and tourism institutions in the emirate. This will include workshops, book signing events, discussion sessions, and artistic performances that showcase the beauty of authentic Emirati heritage, its values, and arts. In celebration of philosophy, which has been influential in both Arab and Greek cultures, the Sharjah Book Authority will launch the "Philosophies... Visual Simulation" project at the Sharjah pavilion. This artistic project draws inspiration from the sayings of renowned Greek and Arab philosophers who excelled in thinking and documenting in both Arabic and Greek. A select group of Emirati and Greek artists will express the meanings and expressions beyond the philosophical word into the power of imagery.
The program includes a series of discussions and live performances, such as a seminar titled "Emerging Literature and Future Challenges," a review of cultural relations between Arabs and Greeks, and a discussion on the challenges faced by short stories in the age of novels. A gathering of prominent Emirati and Arab poets will present an evening reciting Arabic poetry, reflecting on the influence of philosophy in both ancient and contemporary Arabic literature.
Sharjah's participation will feature several heritage, musical, and creative showcases, including a henna painting station, a taste of Emirati cuisine, author signing events, Arabic calligraphy, and exhibitions of artists and their works, representing facets of Arab cultural identity.
The Sharjah delegation, led by the Sharjah Book Authority, includes the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the Emirates Publishers Association, the "Publish Here" initiative, the Emirates Writers Union, Sharjah Publishing City, Qasimi Publications, the University of Sharjah, the Kalimat Group, Kalimat Foundation, the Sharjah Heritage Institute, the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, the House of Wisdom, the Arabic Language Academy, the Sharjah Museums Authority, the Emirates Copyright Management Association, the Department of Culture, the UAE Board on Books for Young People, the Emirates Association for Libraries and Information, and the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation for Gulf Studies.
