São Paulo – The book Turistando por Abu Dhabi, Dubai e Sharjah (Doing Tourism in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) will be launched during the São Paulo International Book Biennial, on August 4 and 5, in the presence of its author Téia Camargo. The travelogue recounts Camargo’s May 2017 eight-day trip with her husband to the United Arab Emirates. Half the proceeds from the book will go to Hospital Pro Criança Cardíaca, a cardiac children’s hospital in Rio de Janeiro.
Camargo told ANBA she didn’t intend to write a book as she set out on her trip, and only decided to do it after the fact, so taken was she with the place. She took all the photos with her phone, and argues that this lends credibility and authenticity to the work. “We spent eight days in Dubai, one in Sharjah and one in Abu Dhabi. Although that isn’t much, it was enough to deconstruct the idea I had of the country. I marveled at the culture and the history, and I intend to go back some day,” she said.
The author confessed she was prejudiced about the Arab country, until a friend talked her into going. “Brazilians have a very mistaken image of the UAE. They think it’s all about ostentation and luxury. We grow to attached to the notion that it’s about millionaire tourists, consumerism, but the UAE are much more than that. With this book I wanted to show another type of tourism besides consumption, one that’s about the local culture, the customs and traditions,” she said.
The emirate of Sharjah has been named the cultural capital of the Arab country and the capital of Islamic by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is home to several art galleries and museums, including the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (pictured in photo gallery). Camargo walked around the town, visited the universities and said she was enchanted with the culture and the investment in education. She went on to say her account of the time she spent there, in the third largest of the seven emirates, is the most intimate in the book
In Abu Dhabi, the author saw the Grand Mosque (pictured at the beginning of this story), the race track and the Ferrari theme park. She said the city has lots more to offer, but she was short in time. Louvre Abu Dhabi hadn’t opened yet, but she recommends it in the book anyway.
In Dubai, where she spent the most time, the writer took a city tour by bus to the gold and spice souks, or markets, had brunch at the Burj Al Arab hotel, climbed to the top of the Burj Khalifa and saw the famous water dance there. She also saw the Dubai Marina and visited the Atlantis The Palm hotel, on the palm-shaped Jumeirah island. She went to several Arab and international restaurants and was surprised with the culinary variety. She tells all about it in the book, amid other recommendations of places to go.
(Story continues after photo gallery)
The author
The holder of a degree in History, Téia Camargo was born in Rio and has held positions as a private education consultant and a government employee with the federal labor justice in Brazil. After retiring in 2015, she started writing poem and tale books as a hobby. Three have been published – the book on the UAE is her fourth independent release. Camargo plans on putting out a children’s book this year.
The Biennial
The book will be launched during the Biennial at the Eu Leio Brasil stand (Aisle K, 92) which will feature independent authors in all genres.
The 25th São Paulo Book Biennial will run from August 3 to 12 in the Santana neighborhood, on Avenida Olavo Fontoura, 1,209. The emirate of Sharjah is the guest of honor for this year’s Biennial, after having been appointed the 2019 UNESCO world book capital. For more information and to get tickets, go to the Biennial website.
Quick facts
Turistando por Abu Dhabi, Dubai e Sharjah – Book launch, featuring the author
São Paulo International Book Biennial
August 4, from 1 pm
August 5, from 4 pm
Eu Leio Brasil stand, Aisle K, 92
Avenida Olavo Fontoura, 1,209, Santana
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
