Sharjah (People's Daily) - The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) actively participated in the tenth edition of the China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (CCBF), held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre from November 17-19. This remarkable event served as a gateway for readers to immerse themselves in the captivating literary worlds while offering a valuable platform for publishing professionals to connect, network and share their experiences.

The EPA's presence at the CCBF was represented by a delegation that included Abdullah Al Kaabi, an Emirati writer, President of the Emirates Publishers Association Board and Founder of Al Ramsa Publishing House. Al Kaabi believes that language and dialects bridge communication between cultures, so he established the Al Ramsa Institute to teach the Emirati dialect to non-native speakers. He also authored numerous books in this field. In addition, he has translated several works of international classical literature into the Emirati dialect, including "The Little Prince." Through his participation, Al Kaabi sought to obtain Chinese classics for translation into the Emirati dialect, thereby strengthening cultural communication between the two countries.

The delegation also included Abdulla Alsharhan, Co-founder and Creative Director of Ajyal Publishers and Secretary and member of The Board at EPA. Since beginning his publishing journey in 2003, Alsharhan has left a distinctive mark in children's literature, having written over 20 books that are now integral to the educational curriculum. He has also received several awards in the UAE for his outstanding contributions to children's literature, his commitment to promoting literacy and his love for reading.

Commenting on this participation, Al Kaabi said, "At the EPA, we believe that international book fairs, such as the CCBF in China, serve as crucial platforms for fostering cultural exchange with civilizations worldwide."

He added that the EPA's involvement in this exhibition was driven by the goal of showcasing the cultural richness and creativity of the UAE, renowned for its ancient civilization, to the Chinese audience.

"Moreover, we sought to bolster the presence of Emirati publishing houses in international cultural arenas, highlighting their contributions and facilitating opportunities for collaboration with publishers from across the globe," he continued.

Al Kaabi further elaborated that the uniqueness of this exhibition within the Asia-Pacific region, solely dedicated to children's books and content, was particularly notable.

"It holds a prominent position in the realm of copyright exchange for children's books, presenting a valuable opportunity for Emirati publishers to engage in fruitful agreements in this domain," he said