Sharjah: Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is delivering an extensive programme of meetings and cultural engagements at the Guadalajara International Book Fair 2025, strengthening cooperation between the UAE’s cultural sector and institutions across Mexico and Latin America. The Authority is also highlighting Sharjah’s journey to building knowledge-based communities and advancing a cultural project rooted in dialogue, learning, and public engagement.
According to Emirates News Agency, during its participation in the international event, which runs until 7th December, SBA held 30 meetings with cultural institutions, publishers, and government organisations working across knowledge and creative industries. The programme focused on identifying new areas of collaboration, exchanging expertise, and supporting initiatives that expand translation, publishing, and the circulation of Arabic content into global languages.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, stated that the Authority’s international presence reflected Sharjah’s commitment to cultural exchange. He emphasized, “Building strong and effective bridges with cities and countries around the world is a core pillar of Sharjah’s cultural project under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Our presence at international book fairs is a living representation of Arab and Emirati culture, and a way of strengthening its status within global creative and knowledge production.”
He further noted the clear interest in Sharjah’s cultural project during international engagements and the strong appreciation from leading institutions and cultural figures. This was evident in the response to the Spanish edition of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s book “The Inquisition: An Investigation of Twenty-Three Files of Cases Committed Against Muslims in Andalusia,” which attracted significant attention from visitors.
During the book fair, SBA held a meeting with Alejandra Chacoff Ricci, Head of Literature and Bibliographic Heritage and Head of Chile’s Translation Support Programme at the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Vanina Colaggiovani, Publishing Sector Coordinator at the Argentine Creative Industries Market (MICA), to strengthen cultural exchange with South American institutions.
The Authority also met with Ver³nica Mendoza, CEO of the Carlos Fuentes Bookshop at the University of Guadalajara; M²nica Ganzenmller, Market Development Lead for Catalan Arts – Llibre; and Joaquim Bejarano Rodenas, Director of the Book Area at the Institut Catal de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC). Both sides discussed opportunities to participate in each other’s cultural and literary events.
SBA explored collaboration opportunities in rights exchange, translation programmes, and professional development with representatives of national publishing associations, including Jos© Manuel Anta and Fernando Benzo from the Federation of Publishers’ Associations of Spain (FGEE); Philip Hunziker from the Guatemala Publishers Association; Christian Rainone from Fundaci³n El Libro; Antonio Alonso from the Mexican Publishers Association (CANIEM); Emiro Hern¡n Aristiz¡bal from the Colombian Publishers Association; and Oscar Castillo Rojas, President of the Costa Rica Publishers Association.
Discussions were also held with the leadership of major international book fairs, including Ezequiel Martnez of the Buenos Aires International Book Fair; Rafael Eduardo Garca Gonz¡lez and Henoc de Santiago Dulch© of the Monterrey International Book Fair; Adriana ngel, Director of FILBO Bogot¡; Claudia Neira Bermºdez of the Centroam©rica Cuenta Festival; Jos© Diego Gonz¡lez Mendoza, Technical Director of CERLALC-UNESCO; and Dejanira lvarez and Jos© Higuera L³pez of the New York International Book Fair, exploring opportunities for collaboration and future joint initiatives.
SBA’s programme also included participation in cultural and industry receptions hosted by Canada, Chile, Catalunya, Bologna, Argentina, and the Buenos Aires Book Fair, as well as independent publishing houses. The authority also attended the reception at Planeta Publishing House and the 60th anniversary celebration of Hachette.