The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) opened the ‘Written in Half a Century’ exhibition yesterday (Sunday) to celebrate the extraordinary vision, talent and pioneering efforts of individuals and entities that have contributed to building the media and publishing industry in the UAE and enhanced its competitiveness at the regional and global levels.
Hosted at YourSpace, a premium indoor events hall at Aljada, Sharjah, until December 18, the week-long exhibition pays tribute to the milestone National Day of the Year of the 50th by showcasing the December 2 front page of all local newspapers from 1971 – 2021. The exhibition aims to highlight the works of the pioneering entities and their contributions in shaping the media industry in the UAE and disseminating the achievements and messages of the UAE across the world.
The ‘UAE Publishing Pioneers Gallery’ at the exhibition features a photograph of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan during the first Islamic Book Fair held on May 3, 1981, at Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation, and a photo of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at a meeting during the Culture and Science Symposium in the presence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud. A photograph of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, at the first Arabic Book Fair 1979, is also on display at the exhibition.
The exhibition further highlights the experiences of prominent Emirati media personalities including Musbeh Al Dhahiri, who founded Al Nakhi in 1934 – the first handwritten Emirati newspaper; poet and philanthropist Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, who instituted the ‘Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award’ - a bi-annual prize for artistic and cultural achievement granted to outstanding Arab innovators and intellectuals; Taryam Omran Taryam and his brother, Abdullah Omran Taryam, who co-founded Dar Al Khaleej Printing & Publishing on October 19, 1970; and Sheikha Mubarak Saif Al Nakhi, the first female short story author in the UAE who was honoured with the ‘UAE Pioneers Award’ in 2015.
The ‘Written in Half a Century’ exhibition also highlights several leading publishing projects which have contributed to the growth and expansion of the UAE’s publishing sector. Exhibits include Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi’s Shahinda, the first Emirati novel published shortly after unification in 1971; Abdullah Saqr Ahmed’s Plank of Wood, the first collection of short stories published in 1974 in Dubai; and Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine, the UAE's first women's lifestyle magazine that commenced publication in 1979.
EPA’s ‘Manassah’ initiative is a key highlight at the exhibition and showcases works of Emirati authors that shed light on the UAE’s achievements as it marks its golden jubilee. The exhibition also features pictures of various educational schoolbooks of the academic year 1989-1990.
On the opening day of the exhibition, visitors participated in a cultural competition through an interactive wall, where the correct answers to questions could be found by arranging coloured thread strung between points on the wall. Winners received valuable prizes from EPA.
Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA, said: “The ‘Written in Half a Century’ exhibition showcases the enduring legacy of the men and women who have shaped the development of the Emirati publishing sector and led to its fast-paced growth. The successive and ongoing strides in development in the publishing industry has positioned the UAE today at the forefront of the vibrant global publishing landscape.”
He added: “Many creative and inspiring Emirati pioneers have contributed to transforming the UAE’s publishing sector into a diverse and inclusive growth-oriented industry. We respect their contributions and are indebted to their efforts in sowing the seeds of success of the UAE’s publishing sector. The exhibition is a source of pride as it celebrates the drive, ambition and achievements of pioneering Emirati individuals and institutions that have firmly established the UAE as a frontrunner in the international publishing industry.”
The ‘Written in Half a Century’ exhibition is open from 11:00 am to 09:00 pm daily until December 18 at YourSpace – Aljada, a lifestyle destination at Sharjah, and features an activity corner for children.