Under the directives of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority and Chair of the Advisory Committee of Sharjah World Book Capital, the emirate of Sharjah was represented by the Sharjah World Book Capital Office at the 6th meeting of the World Book Capital Network (WBCN). The event, held in Strasbourg—UNESCO’s World Book Capital for 2024—gathered representatives from cities that have held or will hold the prestigious title.
The meeting welcomed Anne Mistler, Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg in charge of Arts and Culture. It served as a platform for cities to exchange experiences, discuss ongoing initiatives, and strengthen collaboration across global reading cultures.
Sharjah’s participation aligns with its ongoing role in supporting the WBCN and contributing to global literacy efforts. The emirate, celebrated as the World Book Capital in 2019, has since transformed its title into a long-term cultural initiative. Representing Sharjah, Marwa Al Aqroubi—Project Lead of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 and Executive Director of the House of Wisdom—highlighted Sharjah’s sustained commitment. The commitment involves enriching reading culture and fostering cultural exchange.
“Sharjah sees its role in the WBCN as both a cultural responsibility and a moral duty,” said Al Aqroubi. “Our World Book Capital year was more than a celebration—it was the beginning of a lasting evolution. Six years on, our initiatives continue to grow and expand across borders, reflecting Sharjah’s enduring cultural vision.”
Al Aqroubi emphasized Sharjah’s role in supporting new candidate cities. This support comes particularly through knowledge sharing, experience exchange, and active participation in the network’s partnership and support committee. The emirate also showcased signature events like the Sharjah Libraries Centennial, Sharjah Literature Festival, and the Sharjah Festival of African Literature. These are key components of its vibrant cultural calendar.
The Strasbourg meeting marks the conclusion of the city’s World Book Capital tenure. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, prepares to take on the title in 2025, followed by Rabat, Morocco, in 2026. Rabat is the first Moroccan city to receive this global honour.
WBCN, launched by UNESCO, serves as a vital platform for dialogue. It fosters innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices among member cities. By championing the value of books and reading, the network continues to build a culturally rich and knowledge-driven global community.
