Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Patron of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), is heading a high level UAE delegation set to participate in the 43rd Bangkok International Book Fair (BKKIBF). Taking place from the 27th of March to the 6th of April, BKKIBF is the one of the largest book fairs in the region and will this year be welcoming the UAE as Guest of Honour.
The delegation will include Ahmed Al Amiri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, Abdulaziz Musalam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Hisham Al Mathloum, Chairman of the Sharjah Collections of the Art, Mohamed Khalaf, Manager of Sharjah TV and Radio, Rashid Al Kous, General Manager of Knowledge Without Borders, Gamal Al Shehi, President of the Emirates Publishers Association, Amani Al Ali, Manager of the Executive Office of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), and a number of senior officials from cultural institutions.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will sponsor the participation of a selected group of writers, authors and publishers who will introduce the UAE’s values and heritage to both Thai and global readers. The media partner, Sharjah Media Corporation, will cover all the activities that will be held at the UAE’s pavilion.
The EPA’s stand at the Bangkok International Book Fair, which is being sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority is expected to attract a large number of visitors, with visits from high-profile delegates already scheduled to learn about the UAE’s contribution to the world publishing industry.
The platform will introduce the UAE’s culture and art through many artifacts, including selected artworks from Sharjah Collections of the Art alongside some ethnographic objects from Sharjah Institute for Heritage. The platform will feature items from the UAE indigenous communities such as the Emirati hospitality and the traditional Henna making, while the Sharjah Folklore Band will perform some UAE’s traditional dances such as Ayyala, Ahala, Liwa and Haban.
In line with the rich agenda prepared by Emirati cultural institutions, a number of interactive workshops and cultures will be organised by the Emirates Publishers Association, which will highlight the vibrant publishing industry in the UAE. Arabic letters will be introduced in a special session, while another session will highlight the cultural dimensions of development in the UAE. In addition, a lecture titled “Digital Education Program” will highlight the government’s efforts to build an educated and enabled generation. Visitors will also be treated to Arabic poetry evenings and a short film screening.
Now in its 43rd edition, the Bangkok International Book Fair has become a major international publishing event incorporating copyright trade, book trade, cultural events and displays. The fair acts as a hub of book markets in South East Asia and is held to be the gateway book fair for ASEAN countries. The 2014 edition of the fair saw 450 companies exhibiting in 960 stands, featured 66 forums and seminars, held 123 staged activities, and welcomed 1,600,000 visitors.