São Paulo – The United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) launched its Sharjah 2020 Virtual Reading Festival this week. The event will run from May 27 to June 5 in a bid to encourage people to read amid the global Covid-19 crisis, as several countries lock themselves down to prevent the virus from spreading.
The emirate of Sharjah is known for its investments in literary productions, including its hosting of an international book fair (pictured at the top of this story). The SBA said writers from around the world will get together online during the Reading Festival to offer literature and art to book lovers. The event is in line with preventive measures put in place in the UAE to ensure physical distancing and remote work.
The festival will feature content targeting different age brackets and nationalities, as well as interactive workshops organized by Arab and non-Arab authors. Details and registration requirements will be made public in an online press conference the date of which is yet to be announced.
SBA chairman Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri was quoted as saying that “the promotion of science, knowledge and culture are the main pillars of Sharjah’s cultural project, and a key driver for social inclusion and cohesion, especially in these trying times. (…) In these circumstances, our responsibility towards society, readers and intellectuals has naturally doubled, and we intend to harness all means to contribute to their well-being by uplifting their artistic thought and creative processes. The launch of Sharjah Virtual Reading Festival underlines the necessity of making available cultural content and continuing to adapt projects in light of the extraordinary circumstances we are in,” he said.
Al Ameri went on to say that “rapid technological developments and innovative solutions are the hallmarks of the world we live in today. By leveraging the potential of these technologies, we aim to build on our rich cultures and create the right conditions for creativity and innovation to thrive.”
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
