Warsaw: In the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), Sharjah officially opened its participation on Thursday as the first Arab Guest of Honour in the history of the Warsaw International Book Fair. The emirate has brought to the European city a cultural project it has built over five decades, presenting a contemporary image of Emirati and Arab culture at one of Central Europe's leading cultural events.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi joined Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, Marshal of Sejm of the Republic of Poland; Marta Cienkowska, Poland's Minister of Culture and National Heritage; Dorota Malinowska-Grupinska, Chairwoman of the Warsaw City Council, and Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, Marshal of the Polish Senate, at the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the fair, which runs until 31 May at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Following the ribbon-cutting, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi attended the opening ceremony, conveying the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, along with his wishes for the fair's continued success.
Sheikha Bodour emphasized His Highness's dedication to culture, noting that books foster dialogue, enabling civilisations to meet with dignity. She recalled the Sharjah Ruler's words on the necessity of dialogue and the role of culture as a bridge connecting people. She expressed pride in Sharjah being the Guest of Honour in a country that values language as memory, identity, and continuity, highlighting the shared understanding between Arab and Polish cultures regarding literature's role. Sheikha Bodour also introduced Sharjah's theme at the fair, 'Two Civilisations. One Language of Letters', which celebrates difference and promotes understanding through patience, curiosity, and empathy.
Wlodzimierz Czarzasty expressed cultural honour in welcoming Sharjah, describing its participation as a valuable contribution reflecting growing ties between Poland and the UAE. He highlighted the role of books in fostering understanding and dialogue between cultures. Marta Cienkowska praised Sharjah's appreciation of Polish culture and the role of cultural exchange in fostering dialogue. Dorota Malinowska-Grupinska emphasized books and publishing as means of human connection, while Jacek Oryl noted that Sharjah's participation offers visitors insight into Arab and Emirati culture.
Sheikha Bodour led an official tour of the Sharjah pavilion with Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and distinguished guests, showcasing key initiatives and programmes reflecting Sharjah's cultural project. The fair's inaugural day included the IKAR Publishing Season Awards ceremony, honouring notable figures for their contributions to Polish literature and culture.
The Warsaw International Book Fair features over 1,200 events, reaffirming its status as a leading cultural platform. Sharjah's 400-square-metre pavilion presents a model for Arab cultural engagement, emphasizing dialogue and connections through literature and arts. The emirate's participation includes 35 cultural events, such as panel discussions, poetry evenings, and children's workshops, along with musical performances by the Sharjah National Band.
Sharjah will activate public spaces, libraries, and theatres in Warsaw, introducing audiences to Emirati and Arab culture. The Tasawurat project brings together artists from the UAE and Poland to create works inspired by Arabic and Polish poetry, exploring themes of humanity and nature. The pavilion showcases cultural and academic institutions, highlighting Sharjah's diverse cultural landscape.