Sharjah body enhances ties with Russia

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has explored ways to advance cultural partnerships between Sharjah and Russian cities during its participation in the 37th International Board on Books for Young People Congress (IBBY World Congress) in Moscow. The Authority also organised two creative sessions on the occasion, bringing together an elite group of Emirati and Russian authors and artists to discuss children’s literature and ways to advance it.

SBA’s participation aligns with the entity’s strategies to strengthen ties with leading cultural entities worldwide through various programmes and initiatives, and bring communities together by opening up opportunities for dialogue and reflection.

Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “Our efforts align with the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which is aimed at highlighting the emirate’s cultural project, exchange experiences with cities worldwide, and promote the role of books in development. We are sure that our discussions with major Russian entities will not only open new horizons of dialogue between Emiratis and their Russian counterparts, but also advance exchanges between publishing professionals of our countries.”

The SBA delegation, headed by Al Ameri and accompanied by Khoula Al Mujaini, Director of Fairs and Festivals at SBA, met Prof. Vitaly Naumkin, Academic Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences. They talked about developing joint cultural programmes, and explored ways to showcase the work of contemporary Russian orientalists researching Arab literary and cultural heritage.

On his part, Naumkin lauded the visionary cultural project of Sheikh Sultan.

The SBA delegation met Vadim Duda, Director General, Russian State Library, in the presence of Dr. Musleh Ayedh Al Ahbabi, UAE Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires in Moscow; Naima Suhail Al Musharrakh, Head of the Media and Cultural Affairs Department at the UAE Embassy in Moscow; and Natalia Samoilenko, Deputy Director General for External Relations and Exhibition Activities, Russian State Library. The two sides discussed strengthening partnerships between Russian libraries and their counterparts in Sharjah to facilitate access to knowledge sources for all individuals, and expanding databases to support research and innovation.