Sharjah Heritage Participates as an Active Guest at the Cairo International Book Fair 2026
Sharjah, 18 January 2026
The Sharjah Heritage Institute is participating in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, taking place from 21 January to 3 February 2026 at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center in New Cairo, with broad participation from government entities and Arab and international publishing houses.
A Distinguished Presence in Support of Heritage
His Excellency Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Heritage Institute, affirmed the Institute’s commitment to maintaining a strong and high-quality presence across the various editions of the Cairo International Book Fair, describing it as one of the largest and most influential cultural events in the Middle East, attracting nearly two million visitors annually. He noted that this participation aligns with the Institute’s ongoing efforts to safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritage, connect it with contemporary life, and promote and disseminate it through diverse platforms.
Projects and Initiatives Reflecting the Institute’s Vision
Dr. Al Musallam explained that this approach is embodied in the launch and implementation of numerous projects and initiatives, including the organization and participation in heritage events, exhibitions, and festivals at the local and international levels. He highlighted the Cairo International Book Fair as a major global cultural milestone that the Institute is keen to attend on a continuous basis.
Publications Enriching Emirati and Arab Libraries
He added that the Sharjah Heritage Institute has achieved significant milestones in enriching the heritage landscape, attracting researchers and specialists, and supporting the advancement of heritage research and studies. This is in addition to its contribution to enhancing Emirati and Arab libraries with specialized publications, including books, journals, and periodicals dedicated to heritage at both local and international levels.
Reading Culture as a Strategic Priority
Dr. Al Musallam emphasized that the Government of Sharjah places great importance on books, knowledge-based and creative industries, and the promotion of a reading culture as a strategic priority, inspired by the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
More Than 1,000 Titles at the Institute’s Pavilion
The Sharjah Heritage Institute’s pavilion at the fair features more than 1,000 diverse publications covering a wide range of heritage-related topics, contributing to greater awareness of the various elements of cultural heritage.
A Rich Cultural program and Specialized Sessions
The Institute is presenting a comprehensive cultural program that includes panel discussions with a distinguished group of specialists, addressing topics such as:
- The shared cultural heritage between the UAE and Egypt.
- Heritage books between presence and absence.
- Egyptian heritage in the publications of the Sharjah Heritage Institute.
- Specialized institutional publishing: reality and prospects.
The program also features Heritage Readings sessions in collaboration with the Book Club, discussing works including The Thesaurus of Cultural Heritage in the Arab World by Mostafa Gad, The Folk Tale by Khaled Abu Alail, and Folk Songs of Upper Egypt by Sayed Fares.
Signings of the Latest Publications
The cultural program further includes book-signing events for the Institute’s latest releases, such as The Folk Tale (two volumes) by Khaled Abu Alail, Editing Folk Heritage Manuscripts by Husham Abdul-Aziz, Literature in the Bellies of Camels by Abd-Algader Tariff, Wooden Puppets by Amina Abdullah Salem, Guardians of Folk Art in Egypt by Adel Al-Senhouri, Egypt’s Identity Through the Ages by Abdul-Aziz Salah Salem, and Arts of Trickery in Folk Literature by Dr. Mohamed Abu Elela.