Sharjah ruler's latest novel translated into Hindi as part of New Delhi International Book Fair

The week-long event has begun with Sharjah as guest of honour

Sharjah is the guest of honour of the New Delhi International Book Fair. Courtesy of Sharjah Book Authority

The 27th New Delhi International Book Fair launched on January 5 with Sharjah the guest of honour.

A strong delegation from the emirate flew to India for the opening event led by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, executive chairman of the department of government relations in addition to Sharjah Book Authority chairman Ahmed Rakkad, Emirati author Habib Al Sayegh and a Sharjah based Emirati dance troupe.

The fair hosted the launch of Hindi translation of Sharjah ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi latest novel, Baby Fatima and the King's Sons, a historical tale that follows an ambitious young woman living in the last throes of the Portuguese occupation of the Kingdom of Hormuz.

In his address, Sheikh Fahim stressed the cultural bonds between the UAE and India.

“Being amongst you all at the New Delhi World Book Fair, a major calendar event in the publishing world, I know we have come a long way in realising the Sharjah Ruler’s vision of bringing cultures together through books and knowledge exchange" he said.

“I thank National Book Trust for offering us the ‘guest of honour’ privilege, recognising Sharjah’s leading role in the Arab region’s cultural renaissance. We are excited to turn this opportunity into a memorable literary and cultural feast straight from the heart of Sharjah and the UAE, for all of the book fair’s participants and visitors.”

Held at the large exhibition space Pragati Maidan, the New Delhi International Book Fair will run until January 13 and is hosting 650 publishers from 20 countries.

The festival is also running under the theme of ‘Books for Readers with Special Needs', a pavilion has been set up and dedicated to information to tackle stigmas related with the Indian special needs community.

Additionally, Unesco and United Nation India have collaborated to hold International We Care Film Festival, with 45 films from 27 countries showcasing the lives of those with special needs to be screened daily at the book fair.

For details go to www.newdelhiworldbookfair