By Shouq Alnakhi
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH — Greece drew visitors to the Sharjah International Book Fair this year as the event’s Guest of Honor, highlighting its long tradition of storytelling.
Inside the pavilion, attendees explored books, art and cultural pieces that offered a look into the traditions that shaped centuries of Greek literature.
“It’s exciting to see a whole pavilion dedicated to a culture we learned about in school,” said Hessa Alsuwaidi, an American University of Sharjah student visiting the fair. “It feels like stepping into another time.”
While Greece brings its legacy to the fair, young writers from the United Arab Emirates are also finding their own place among thousands of visitors. One of them is AUS student Ali Alblooshi, who is debuting his first poetry collection “Songs of the Silent.”
“I wanted my work to feel honest and emotional,” said Alblooshi. “My poems come from moments where I needed clarity, and I hope readers feel the same comfort in them.”
This year’s Guest of Honor program aims to connect cultures and celebrate literary voices, said Maysoun Al Ali, a coordinator with the SIBF cultural programming team.
Readers continue to fill the halls, exploring new titles and connecting with writers from around the world.
