31 October 2018 – With its mission to raise awareness on UAE’s socio-cultural heritage and to support local research, the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) is participating at the 37th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which opened today and will run until November 10, at Expo Centre Sharjah.
H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the event with H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, also present during the inauguration.
Organised under the theme, ‘Tale of Letters’, by the Sharjah Book Authority, the inauguration was also attended by a number of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries as well as a large number of publishers, intellectuals, and media representatives.
Being the third largest book festival in the world, this year’s edition is hosting over 1,000 exhibitors from across 100 countries with an impressive line-up of international writers, artists, intellectuals and cultural personalities.
Fatima Saif Al Falasi, Director of Research and Studies at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Center Heritage Center, said: “Book exhibitions in the UAE are very important for the Center’s research and studies department by providing opportunities for communication with scientific institutions and publishing houses.”
“Scholars and researchers benefit from the support we provide in the adoption of projects related to local heritage in terms of publishing their books and publications,” she added.
The HHC will display photographs of the Fazza tournaments and events organised by the Center. There will also be an exhibition, in line with Year of Zayed, reflecting the wisdom of the UAE’s Founding Father aimed at connecting his legacy to the younger generation.
The HHC will also promote for the first time in its pavilion a number of treasured writings by one of the most famous Emirati writers in the Gulf region and the Arab world: Sheikh Ahmed bin Hafez, who is distinguished by his expertise in giving speeches, praises and poems on the Prophet’s life.
Moreover, Al Oula Radio will be broadcasting live from the venue. There will be special programs highlighting the role of UAE cultural institutions and focusing on the importance of printing and publishing academic research to promote national heritage. The HHC will exhibit a total of 21 titles published by the Center, including books on Emirati proverbs, multilingualism in the UAE society, social education studies, children heritage books, and more.