Sharjah Book Fair Strengthens Its Presence In International Exhibitions

Sharjah Book Fair receives impressive interest at Riyadh Book Fair

The Stand of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) at the Riyadh International Book Fair has seen an impressive presence of men of thought, intellectuals, and readers as well as of publishers and people interested in the region’s publishing industry.

The Riyadh Book fair, themed "Dialogue…Culture and practice" is being held from 5-15 March with wide local, regional and international participation. SIBF’s participation aims to network with Saudi publishing houses and invite them to participate in the upcoming edition of Sharjah International Book Fair, which is taking place from 6-16 November 2013.

SIBF’s delegation to Riyadh Book Fair included Fadil Hussein, Vice Coordinator-General of the Sharjah International Book Fair, and Mohsen Fadhli, SIBF Executive Accountant. A number of high-profile Saudi officials, school and university students and interested people, visited the SIBF Stand where a number of publications were on offer to visitors. The Riyadh Book Fair 2013 was opened by Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja.

SIBF seeks through its participation to enrich the UAE’s cultural scene at the Gulf, regional and international levels. Visitors to the stand were introduced to SIBF’s prestigious experience throughout its annual editions, which span 31 years, characterized by its excellent organisation and management and its potential to accommodate large numbers of participating countries and publishers, as well as the major expansions the Sharjah International Book Fair has undergone to accommodate publishers and visitors.

They also praised the diversity and quality of the programmes and events that are run along with the book exhibition, which has grown to become one of the largest and most popular cultural extravaganzas and a major platform for the presentation of major cultural awards at both the Gulf and regional levels.

Speaking on the occasion, Fadil Hussein, Vice Coordinator-General of SIBF said, "The Riyadh Book Fair offers us an excellent opportunity to conduct several meetings with government and private organisations whom we are inviting to participate in the upcoming editions of the Sharjah International Book Fair. We have also been discussing possible ways to overcome any obstacles facing us and exploring optimal means of cooperation in various fields with our Saudi counterparts. In addition, we have been highlighting SIBF’s prestigious experience as well as the unlimited support it enjoys."

The SIBF Stand showcases a wide range of publications, including Al Qasimi Publications, and other publications from Kalimat Publishing House, Department of Culture and Information, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Children and Girls Centres, Knowledge without Borders, the Sharjah Biennial, and the Emirates Publishers Association.

The Kingdom of Morocco participated as the guest of honour at the Riyadh Book Fair 2013, which covers an area of 18.5 square km. The 10-day book fair brings together 970 publishing houses from 31 countries from across the world, alongside 398 local publishers and 1,216 exhibitors from outside the Kingdom. It showcases about 250,000 titles, and will continue until 15 March 2013.

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Mar 9, 2013

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