Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is a governmental entity, established in 2014 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. [1] It operates in several sectors, under the literary umbrella; including publishing, printing, book translation, book festivals, and children's literature. [2]
The SBA was launched in 2014 by an Emiri decree of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. [3]
SBA participates in all international and regional book fairs like Frankfurt Book Fair, [4] London Book Fair, [5] Cairo International Book Fair, [6] to name a few, and hosts numerous campaigns around the year to promote culture, literature, reading and the arts. [7]
SBA leads on several cultural projects and events in the UAE, including Sharjah Publishing City, [8] Sharjah Libraries, [9] Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF), [10] Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) [11] [12] [13] [14] and Sharjah Book Fair – Translation Grant [15]
SBA also organises the Publishers Conference as well as an annual joint conference with the American Library Association. [16] [17]
In May 2019, SBA launched a new event call the Emirati Book Fair, aimed at showcasing the literary history of the Persian Gulf region.[ citation needed ]
Sharjah International Book Fair is an 11-day international book fair held annually in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It was first launched in 1982, under the guidance and patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. [18] [19]
SIBF 2018 hosted 1,874 publishing houses from 77 countries, with 1.6 million titles on display, including 80,000 new titles. The fair welcomed 2.23 million visitors, who had access to 20 million books. [20]
Launched in 2011, on the occasion of the 30th annual Sharjah International Book Fair, the fund's monetary value is USD 300K.[ citation needed ] The Sharjah International Book Fair's Translations Grant Fund provides financial assistance to Arab and foreign publishers for the translation of different literary genres such as fiction, memoir, history, cookery, children's stories, adult's stories, poetry, and scientific books. [21] [22]
The Sharjah Children's Reading Festival was launched in 2010. Since then, it has grown to become a cultural event aimed at fostering a love of reading among children. The festival features a wide range of activities including workshops, readings, and interactive sessions designed to inspire young minds. [23] [24] The 2024 festival will feature over 1,400 cultural, artistic, and educational activities, with participation from 470 publishers from 75 countries. [25]
The United Arab Emirates is a country in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula located on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. The UAE consists of seven emirates and was founded on 2 December 1971 as a federation, after UK armed forces left the region. Six of the seven emirates declared their union on 2 December 1971. The seventh, Ras al Khaimah, joined the federation on 10 February 1972. The seven sheikdoms were formerly known as the Trucial States, in reference to the truce treaties established with the British in the 19th century.
The Emirate of Sharjah is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates, which covers 2,590 square kilometres (1,000 sq mi) and has a population of over 1,400,000 (2015). It comprises the capital city of Sharjah, after which it is named, and other minor towns and exclaves such as Kalba', Al Dhaid, Dibba Al-Hisn and Khor Fakkan.
Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. The city of Ras Al Khaimah, abbreviated to RAK or RAK City, is the capital of the emirate and home to most of the emirate's residents. It is linked to the Islamic trading port of Julfar, its predecessor settlement. Its name in English means "headland of the tent". The emirate borders Oman's exclave of Musandam, and occupies part of the same peninsula. It covers an area of 2,486 km2 (960 sq mi) and has 64 km of beach coastline. As of 2023, the emirate had a population of about 400,000.
Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi is an Emirati politician and member of the ruling family of Sharjah and the niece to Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi. She was previously the Minister of State for Tolerance, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Minister of Economic and Planning of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She was the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the UAE.
Ajman is the capital of the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. It is the fifth-largest city in UAE after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. Located along the Persian Gulf, it is engulfed by the larger emirate of Sharjah in territory.
Kalba is a city in the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an exclave of Sharjah lying on the Gulf of Oman coast north of Oman. Khor Kalba, an important nature reserve and mangrove swamp, is located south of the town by the Omani border.
Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi was the Ruler of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah from 1948 to 2010. On 10 February 1972, under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah become the seventh Trucial State to join the United Arab Emirates.
Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi is the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and a member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates.
Sharjah is the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area.
Al Jazirah Al Hamra is a town to the south of the city of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its collection of abandoned houses and other buildings, including a mosque, which is widely believed locally to be haunted. The town was ruled by the Zaab tribe, which was rehoused in Abu Dhabi following a dispute with the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
Expo Centre Sharjah is an exhibition and convention centre, located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is the exhibition wing of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is a major annual literary and publishing event held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. As one of the world's largest book fairs, it hosted 2,033 exhibitors from 109 countries in 2023 and featured a broad range of activities throughout its 12-days.
Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature is an Arabic literary award for children's literature. It was established in 2009 by the Arab Children's Book Publisher’s Forum. It is sponsored by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of UAEBBY. Organization of the prize was handed over to UAEBBY in 2010. The award is announced each year during the Sharjah International Book Fair.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi is the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and President of the American University of Sharjah, Chairperson and President of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Chairperson of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kalimat Group, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority, Founder of the Emirates Publishers Association, Founder of the UAE Board on Books for Young People and past President of the International Publishers Association. Her father is His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, who has served as Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah since 1972.
The Sharjah Mosque, is the largest mosque in the Emirate of Sharjah, the U.A.E. Besides serving the needs of Muslims, the mosque has a library, and an area for giving Dawah to non-Muslims.
Shees Park is a recreational park near the village of Shis in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates.The area is directly accessible via Khorfakkan Road S142/E55.
The political history of the United Arab Emirates covers political events and trends related to the history of the United Arab Emirates.
Year of Zayed was observed throughout 2018 in the United Arab Emirates to celebrate the centenary birth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the tribal leader and politician who founded the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and served as its inaugural president until his death in 2004. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, his son and the-then president issued directives in 2017 that designated the consecutive year in honor of his legacy. It was held under four main themes, namely wisdom, respect, sustainability and human development.