Sharjah 24: The ‘Bologna Grand Tour’ networking initiative by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) has announced the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) as one of the stops in its four-nation tour for 2021, to promote its objective of forging new connections by touring the main book fairs all over the world.

BCBF organisers made this key announcement during the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA)’s participation at the recently concluded 73rd edition of Frankfurter Buchmesse, asserting that SIBF is a strategic gateway to new business opportunities as well as cultural exchange between Italy and Asia and North Africa.   

The announcement follows Sharjah’s selection as the Guest of Honour for the 59th edition of BCBF, taking place from March 21 – 24, 2022. During a presentation organised by BCBF at the Frankfurter Buchmesse, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) Chairman, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, detailed the emirate’s Guest of Honour agenda for BCBF 2022, highlighting that the programme includes theatre and performance in the fair and in schools across the region, in addition to dialogue and discourse on the future development of children’s literature and education. 

Al Ameri asserted that the inclusion of SIBF 2021 in the Bologna Grand Tour reflects on the forward-looking vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to establish the emirate and its cultural platforms as vibrant hubs of exchange and human development. 

Speaking on the participation in Frankfurter Buchmesse, the Chairman said: “SBA is keen on participating in international book fairs to build and advance partnerships with cultural institutions and publishers from around the world.” He stressed that Frankfurter Buchmesse is one of the key events on SBA’s agenda.

SBA also utilised the platform of the world’s leading event of its kind to promote the upcoming milestone 40th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and drive forward the agenda of the three-day Publisher’s Conference – a key industry event that precedes SIBF and which brings professionals in the global publishing industry together. 

The authority also raised awareness of other key events including the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) while also highlighting the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, a first of its kind free zone for businesses in the field of publishing. They also discussed expanding the participation of European publishers in the 41st and 42nd editions of SIBF.