The 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair plans to feature Morocco as this year’s guest of honour, having welcomed South Korea as guest of honor at last year’s fair, which recorded a revised total of over 2.17 million visitors in its 12 days of duration.
“We are delighted to welcome the Kingdom of Morocco as Guest of Honor at SIBF 2024 and to celebrate the country’s rich literary heritage. Morocco has long been a beacon of cultural and intellectual progress, and its prominence at the International Fair of Sharjah Book will open a new chapter in our shared Arab heritage,” said Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
Sheikha Bodour also stressed that the Kingdom of Morocco has always been a vital crossroads for regional and global cultures. He highlighted the famous cities of Fez, Marrakech and Rabat as enduring testimonies of magnificent Islamic history and centerpieces of the rich mosaic of Arab civilization.
The statement was made after the signing of an agreement between the SBA and the Books, Libraries and Archives Authority of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of Morocco in the presence of Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication; and Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Executive Director of the SBA, to welcome the Arab country as Guest of Honor at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which will take place this November at the Sharjah Exhibition Centre.
The event will showcase an exceptional variety of writers, thinkers and cultural figures from around the world. The agreement was formally signed by Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of the SIBF, and Latifa Muftaqir, Director of the Books, Libraries and Archives Authority.
“As the capital of Arab and Islamic culture and former World Book Capital, Sharjah has become an international meeting point for global cultures. Under the guidance of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Council Supreme and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate is proud to provide a platform for writers, thinkers and artists to express their creativity, network and exchange ideas SIBF is the global gateway to Arabic literature and culture, raising the profile of. the UAE as a center of thought and creativity,” said Sheikha Bodour.
For his part, the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, said during the signing ceremony that “welcoming Morocco comes at a crucial moment in which Moroccan-Emirati relations, under the leadership of the leaders of Both nations are undergoing significant transformation.”
He added: “This development will allow the cultural sector to progress alongside other fields, prompting both parties to create mechanisms that elevate cultural relations to the same high level as the political and economic ties between the two sister nations. In this context, the Minister emphasized that the presence of the Kingdom as Guest of Honor of SIBF 2024 will mark the beginning of an advanced phase of coordination, cooperation and knowledge exchange, recognizing each initiative that promotes joint efforts.”
SBA Executive Director Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri said: “Celebrating Morocco as Guest of Honor at SIBF 2024 embodies our commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and understanding.
“This role as Guest of Honor reflects the vision of His Royal Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi to promote global cultural exchange. By hosting Morocco, we aim to transcend borders and embrace new experiences,” he added.
During SIBF 2024, the Moroccan pavilion will showcase Moroccan historical documents and publications, in addition to a rich cultural program that will present events and activities through panel discussions, workshops and artistic performances.
It will introduce visitors to the history, civilization and arts of the Kingdom. The pavilion will highlight its culture, knowledge and thinkers and will host several Moroccan authors who will share their experiences and knowledge with visitors to the fair.
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