Sharjah deepens Warsaw cultural ties

Sharjah has closed its four-day Guest of Honour programme at the Warsaw International Book Fair after becoming the first Arab participant to receive the distinction, turning its presence in Poland into a broader platform for literature, heritage, publishing cooperation and cultural diplomacy.

The emirate’s delegation, led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, presented 35 cultural events across the fairgrounds at PGE Narodowy Stadium and at universities, theatres and cultural venues across Warsaw. The programme brought together 36 writers, poets, artists and cultural figures from the UAE and Poland, alongside 21 cultural and knowledge institutions.

The participation placed Sharjah at the centre of one of Central and Eastern Europe’s prominent literary gatherings, which ran from May 28 to 31 and drew exhibitors and cultural participants from 34 countries. Its selection as Guest of Honour marked a significant milestone for Arab publishing in the European book market, particularly as the Warsaw fair continues to expand its international profile through author meetings, literary debates, workshops, rights discussions and public cultural programming.

Sharjah’s pavilion became the focal point of the programme, offering visitors encounters with Arabic literature, contemporary writing, poetry, children’s books, theatre, heritage and publishing initiatives. Sessions examined literary translation, fiction, memory, identity, women’s writing, children’s literature and the role of storytelling in building links between societies.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Book Authority, said the strong turnout at the pavilion and associated events reflected the ability of culture to connect people through dialogue and shared knowledge. He said Polish audiences showed clear interest in Arab literature, heritage, arts and intellectual exchange, while the programme opened opportunities in publishing, translation, rights exchange and wider book industry cooperation.

Jacek Oryl, Director of the Warsaw International Book Fair, described Sharjah’s participation as one of the defining highlights of this year’s edition, saying the emirate delivered a programme that extended beyond a conventional book fair showcase. He said the events gave Polish audiences deeper insight into Arab culture and created new channels of dialogue between Poland and the Arab world.

The cultural programme was built around the theme “Two civilisations. One language of letters,” drawing attention to the visual and symbolic links between Arabic and Polish scripts. The concept served as a framework for literary and artistic encounters that placed language, translation and shared human experience at the centre of the exchange.

Among the writers and cultural figures presented were Dr Sultan Al Ameemi, Dr Hind Al Mashmoom, Khulood Al Mualla, Kaltham Abdullah, Dhaen Shaheen, Salha Ghabish, Abdulrahman Al Humairi, Nadia Al Najjar, Dr Habib Ghuloom Al Attar, Dr Abdul Hakim Al Zubaidi and Sheikha Al Mutairi. Polish counterparts included writers, academics and moderators such as Ałbena Grabowska, Barbara Kosmowska, Grażyna Plebanek, Wit Szostak and Sebastian Gadomski.

The programme also included poetry readings that paired Arabic and Polish voices, panel discussions on the publishing industry, sessions on libraries and reading access, and debates on how digital platforms are reshaping the future of books. Children’s literature formed a visible part of the agenda, with workshops and discussions on visual storytelling, folk tales, reading therapy and young readers’ changing habits.

Sharjah National Band performances added a public-facing heritage element, with traditional music staged at the fair and in outdoor spaces across Warsaw. The performances widened the programme’s appeal beyond trade visitors and readers, presenting cultural identity through music and movement as well as books and dialogue.

A professional dimension accompanied the public events. The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association signed a cooperation agreement with KOPIPOL, Poland’s organisation for collective management of authors’ rights in scientific and technical works. The agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation on intellectual property protection, collective rights management and exchange of expertise at a time when publishing markets are adjusting to digital distribution, artificial intelligence tools and changing models of content use.

The Emirates Publishers Association used the fair to present works from several publishers and explore rights opportunities with European counterparts. Other participating bodies included the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, House of Wisdom, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, Sharjah Literary Agency, Kalimat Group, Kalimat Foundation, the UAE Board on Books for Young People, Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Sharjah Archaeology Authority.