Sharjah, Russia deepen ties to bring Arabic books to wider audiences

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has formed a new partnership with a Russian cultural organization to broaden access to Arabic books and literature in Russia. This Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the SBA's involvement in the Moscow International Book Fair on September 13. The agreement seeks to forge long-term collaborations for joint literary and publishing projects in the UAE and Russia, going beyond individual book fairs.

Key areas of cooperation include organizing book fairs and literary events, promoting publishers and cultural institutions to participate in events in both countries, and facilitating translation and publishing rights exchange between Arabic and Russian languages. The partnership aims to deepen cultural understanding through literature, given the rich literary traditions of both cultures.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, emphasized that books can transcend language and geographic boundaries to connect people and broaden their perspectives. The agreement was signed by Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of Fairs and Festivals at SBA, and Elena Grebeneva, General Director of the Russian organization. Al Mujaini highlighted that book fairs serve as starting points for ongoing professional and cultural collaborations.

The MoU will allow the two sides to develop year-round programs and projects involving publishers, translators, authors, and rights holders. Grebeneva noted that Sharjah has become an important cultural partner for Russia, and the new agreement will support joint events, translation projects, and increased participation of Russian institutions and publishers in Sharjah's International Book Fair.