UAE Press: World Needs To Take A Leaf Out Of Sharjah’s Book
Faizan Hashmi Published April 24, 2019 | 10:15 AM
A UAE newspaper has said that the recent bestowing of the World Book Capital for 2019 title on Sharjah by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, is a well-deserved recognition of its outstanding role in supporting the publishing industry, and nurturing a culture of reading locally, regionally and internationally
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 24th Apr, 2019) A UAE newspaper has said that the recent bestowing of the World Book Capital for 2019 title on Sharjah by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, is a well-deserved recognition of its outstanding role in supporting the publishing industry, and nurturing a culture of reading locally, regionally and internationally.
"As people across the globe enthusiastically marked the World Book Day on Tuesday, Sharjah has kicked off its year-round festivities to celebrate its recognition by UNESCO in a unique way," said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Wednesday.
The paper continued, "A new and original theatre production titled ‘1001 Nights: The Last Chapter’, the largest-of-its-kind the world has ever seen, marked the grand opening act for the celebrations", adding that the fact that an alliance of 537 theatre artists and acrobats, innovators, technologists and storytellers representing as many as 25 nationalities shaped this massive production indicates its uniqueness.
The massive efforts to promote reading are bound to be effective as the events are being held across different locations in Sharjah and will engage all segments of the UAE community as well as Emirati, Arab and international literary figures and intellectuals, in a series of book-themed events and activities.
Books are an endless source of knowledge. Books shape an individual’s mind and wield tremendous power to transform lives for the better. It is the duty of every society to promote the book in order to build sustainable societies, which eventually help fortify the foundations of peace.
Sharjah’s cultural status is thriving thanks to the vision of H.
H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who is keen on creating a reading community and promote the benefits of reading among children.
Last week, Sheikh Sultan allocated AED2.5 million to enrich Sharjah’s libraries with the latest publications. The announcement came following the inauguration of the 11th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, SCRF 2019. The funds will be used to purchase the latest publications from participating publishing house at the reading festival.
Over the years, the SCRF, one of the most important cultural events dedicated to children in the UAE and greater Arab region, has been offering a fabulous platform for young ones to enrich their minds with knowledge and wisdom. It is fair to say that the festival has developed into an integrated event that contributes to enriching the knowledge of visitors with science and literature.
As Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice President of International Publishers Association and Head of Advisory Committee of Sharjah World Book Capital, stated earlier, the UNESCO title is a global acknowledgement of Sharjah’s longstanding cultural achievements. It is certainly a reward for pursuing an approach of knowledge-based human development in Sharjah through the use of books, reading, and strong intercultural dialogue.
"Landmark initiatives launched by the UAE, like funding public libraries, distribution of home libraries and honouring distinguished authors and publishers have contributed to the adoption of reading as a lifestyle by members of the Emirati society," added the Sharjah-based daily.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Middle East
-
UAE announces ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ to reduce bureaucracy
3 months ago -
COP28 President-Designate welcomes Transitional Committee agreement to operationalise Loss and Damag ..
6 months ago -
Global Media Congress 2023 to feature Co-Production Majlis as a new networking platform
6 months ago -
Young female athletes shine at Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
6 months ago -
King of Jordan receives Abdullah bin Zayed and ministers participating in Arab coordination meeting
6 months ago -
Abdullah bin Zayed participates in coordination meeting of Arab foreign ministers, joint meeting wit ..
6 months ago
-
3rd annual conference of Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology kicks off in Dubai
6 months ago -
SIBF 2023 hosts Nobel laureate to discuss emergence of ‘Afrofuturism’ in global discourse
6 months ago -
ALC announces winners of Kanz Al Jeel Award 2023
6 months ago -
SIBF turns spotlight on remarkable contributions of women
6 months ago -
Global assets in spot bitcoin ETFs hit $4.16 billion
6 months ago -
Rescuers struggle to find Nepal quake survivors as deaths reach 157
6 months ago