By hosting so many numbers of representatives, Sharjah aims to reflect their individual stories and discuss strategies to strengthen their legacy.

The 2019 UNESCO World Book Capital—Sharjah becomes the city that has hosted the most representatives from most UNESCO-designated World Book Capital cities.

The cities that are designated as UNESCO World Book Capital undertake to carry out activities to encourage a culture of reading and diffuse its values in all ages and population groups in and out of the national borders.

By hosting so many numbers of representatives, Sharjah aims to reflect their individual stories and discuss strategies to strengthen their legacy while sharing their experiences with future holders of the status.

The emirate hosted 16 World Book Capital cities at the House of Wisdom, including Guadalajara, the 2022 World Book Capital, at the preliminary meeting of the Expert Group of the World Book Capital Cities Network.

The discussion centred around the network’s mission and strategic objectives to strengthen cooperation, develop knowledge sharing and good practices among network members, strengthen the cities’ commitment to promoting books and reading, particularly in the wake of the global pandemic, which hit the book sector severely.

The 2019 title not only reinforced the emirate’s status as a regional cultural hub but positively impacted the development of its book industry and reading culture.

IPA President, Bodour Al Qasimi shared that the power and beauty of being a WBC city are that such that, positive benefits last for years and offer a chance to reinforce social cohesion through books and promote cultural dialogue.

“A strong network that builds on the momentum of the WBC honour will benefit cities and future generations through the exchange of ideas on the legacy of the title,” Al Qasimi shared.