Sharjah Book Authority Enhances Partnerships with International Publishers at Book Expo America

Sharjah: Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has concluded its participation at the annual Book Expo America (BEA), the largest book fair in the United States of America. Held at McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the event saw the participation of thousands of authors, publishers and experts in the publishing industry from around the world.

This year, Poland was the Guest of Honour at the 2016 edition of BEA. A total of 27 Polish publishing houses, along with authors, intellectuals and media-personnel, showcased the rich and diverse literature offerings of their home country.

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, received a number of representatives of American publishing houses and an elite group of writers and intellectuals at SBA’s stand at the fair, discussed avenues of joint cooperation, and invited them to take part in the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

Visitors to SBA stand were acquainted with the SIBF Translation Grant Fund which was launched in 2011 and supported by the government of Sharjah, the SIBF Translation Grant Fund aims to encourage the translation of books to and from Arabic in order to enrich Arab and global culture, support the field of translation and promote networking and learning.

HE Ahmed Al Ameri also met with Julie Todaro, President of the American Library Association (ALA) to review their ongoing collaboration. Over the past two years, the level of cooperation between SBA and ALA has evolved into a strategic partnership, with the two bodies co-organising the ALA Library Conference, which provides a platform to advance librarians’ efforts regionally and globally. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural event, the second edition of ALA Library Conference will take place during SIBF 2016, which runs from November 2-12 in Sharjah.

HE Ahmed Al Ameri also met officials from the Continuing and Professional Studies at the City College of New York and discussed the general outline of the upcoming edition of the Professional Programmes for Publishers, which is due to take place on November 2, 2016, on the side-lines of the 35th edition of SIBF. He explained that the programme comprises a series of discussion panels, lectures, seminars and workshops relating to translation rights - which will see translation contracts being signed between Arab and international publishers – as well as many other activities concerned with the global publishing industry.

“Our participation at Book Expo America gave us the chance to meet a group of renowned publishers, in particular ones from the United States, Canada and Poland, with whom we were able to conduct fruitful discussions. I would like to stress that our participation at BEA 2016 was in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which aims to elevate the publishing industry in the Arab region, as well as acquaint the world with Arabic literature and Emirati culture,” said HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri.

Established in 2014, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is dedicated to encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people from different countries and cultures. It is also entrusted with emphasising the significant role of writers and their influence in spreading awareness of technological advancement and the availability of various sources of knowledge. SBA aims to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general and the publishing, printing and translation of children’s books in particular.