The 41st Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which is taking place from November 6–13 at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme “Spread the Word,” has Italy as its Guest of Honor.
The 12-day cultural extravaganza honors the diversity of the world’s cultures by welcoming a stellar lineup of eminent writers, thinkers, publishers, artists, and creators from 95 nations.
Visitors can experience a rich cultural itinerary that has been outlined by the Italian Cultural Institute of Abu Dhabi, which is a division of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). It also features performances of Italian theatre, crafts, dance, music, and culinary experiences in addition to books.
The Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara stated, “Introducing Italy’s participation as the Guest of Honor at the Sharjah International Book Fair marks the official start of my term as the Italian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. The strong bond between our two nations, built on respect and communication, is centered on culture. Italy is a cultural superpower.”
The Italian Cultural Institute of Abu Dhabi’s director, Ida Zilio-Grandi, said: “We have a wonderful opportunity to promote Italian culture in all of its manifestations by participating as the Guest of Honor at the Sharjah International Book Fair. But first, let’s reiterate how closely Italy and Sharjah are connected by their shared love of literature.
“Literature allows us to live diverse lives and widen and enrich our existential experiences, not just to “communicate.” It gives us fresh resources to handle the difficulties of everyday life. A spiritual extension of ourselves and an indispensable tool for experiencing life in the world, literature.
Italy has a long and illustrious history of art, culture, and gastronomy, and it is home to some of the most well-known painters and sculptors in history, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. The Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the canals of Venice are just a few of the famous sites that can be found in this gem of the Mediterranean.
The nation holds the record for the most UNESCO World History Sites and is renowned for its intangible cultural heritage, healthful culinary traditions, and world-famous intangible cultural heritage.
The event schedule at the Italian Pavilion at SIBF includes workshops for children on topics such as books, music, theatre, live performances, animation, puppetry, and mask making; dance performances on topics ranging from classical ballet to modern abstract routines; roaming performances that reflect the Italian tradition of street theater; discussions with Italian authors on the newest books; culinary experiences with Italian chefs; and musical performances on topics ranging from Chopin’s preludes to violin and piano.
