Sharjah 24: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah Thursday, received French President Francois Hollande during His Highness visit to the 37th Paris international Book Fair (PIBF 2017).
During the meeting, which saw the presence of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, French President selected Sharjah as the Guset of Honour at the PIBF 2018.

During the meeting, Sharjah Ruler and Hollande exchanged cordial talks on issues of mutual interest focusing on the role of culture and support of publishing, and preserving heritage.

In this context, the French President underlined the strong relations between France and the UAE, saying that Sharjah’s presence at the PIBF enhances these relations. Highlighting His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s colossal efforts in the areas of publishing, Hollande added that the book is the real  heritage for all nations and we have to preserve and promote it.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah expressed gratitude to French Hollande for selecting Sharjah as the guest of honour at the 38th edition of PIBF valuing the mutual and historic cooperation between the various French cultural institutions and the Emirate of Sharjah which have led to highlighting Sharjah’s experience in the field that resulted in exchange of experise with France and Europe at large.

Commenting on the Arabic presence and participation in PIBF, Sheikh Sultan pointed out that it is rather poor and that Sharjah will work on supporting and enhancing such Arabic participation to have a presence that fits and honours Arabic culture.

His Highness also talked about some of his upcoming publications which outline the real relation between France and the Arab Gulf coast countries.

 The selection of Sharjah as the guest of honour at the 38th Edition of the PIBF emphasises Sharjah’s outstanding cultural status internationally and reflects the PIBF organisers’ appreciation of the distinguished achievements made by the emirate. During the 18th Fair, Sharjah will celebrate its experience and cultural projects to introduce its culture, arts and promotion and investment in the publishing sector through a prolific programme of activities and events which will run throughout the days of the fair.

Concluding the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi presented President Hollande with a French version of his book “Hadeeth Al Thakira”.

During his visit, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah toured the various pavilions beginning with Sharjah’s stand represented by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) where he was briefed by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA on the Authority’s magnitude and important participation in the Fair translating His Highness’ directives to build and extend bridges of communication between the Arabic and Islamic culture on the one side, and the Western cultures on the other side.

At the SBA’s pavilion, Sheikh Sultan received several ambassadors, publishers, educated, thought leaders and media pesons with whom he exchanged talks on various issues including understanding the other and methodology of intercultural communication in light of preserving the religious principles, values and teachings, as well as Arabic customs, traditions and ethics.

Sheikh Sultan, accompanied by Bodour Al Qasimi and the Sharjah cultural and media delegation, toured other Arab countries’ pavilions participating in  the PIBF valuing their participation and urging them to preserve and increase the level of participation and presence ant the different international cultural events.

During his meeting with the French President and tour of the PIBF, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah was accompanied by several officials, Emirati Newspapers chief editors, thought leaders, literary figures, researchers and publishers.

source: sharjah24.ae