Home / News / The NBC visits the World Book Capital 2019: Sharjah Back to News The NBC visits the World Book Capital 2019: Sharjah Festivals • Initiatives • News 4th November, 2019 [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The National Book Council has visited the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF19), and as it happens this year round was a special one since Sharjah was named World Book Capital for 2019 by UNESCO. This nomination boosted up the already very professional book fair in Sharjah, which is one of the most important book fairs in the Arab region. The title was given among others for “the efforts undertaken by the city in order to make reading available to as many people as possible, in particular the marginalised populations, as a motor for social inclusion, creativity and dialogue”, previous UNESCO Director General Irina Bukova declared. This is the third time the NBC has visited the SIBF, and all these visits have facilitated the relationship between Maltese winning authors and Arab publishers resulting into more than ten publications of Maltese Literature into the Arabic language and into the larger Arab market. The Council, on behalf of the authors, has just signed three more projects, namely the publication into Arabic of Alex Vella Gera’s Is-Sriep Reġgħu Saru Velenużi with Dar Mahrousa; a collection of short stories by Immanuel Mifsud named I travelled the world with Masr El Arabia; and an essential collection of poetry by Mifsud with Bait El Yasmine. Other ongoing projects are still at pre-signing stage. A warm welcome by the Sharjah Book Authority The NBC’s representative in Sharjah was also very warmly welcomed by Ali Al Ameri from the Sharjah Book Authority. Ameri is the Editorial Manager of Publisher Weekly and the Arabic edition of Al-Nasher Al-Usboei by the Sharjah Book Authority. An interview was carried out in which the NBC spoke about Malta’s National Book Council’s experience in the Arab region, the SIBF and its own work in Malta with the Malta Book Festival, as well as its mission and its export projects. The Council would like to express its gratitude towards Mr Ameri and his team of journalists. Mr Wael El Mulla from Masr El Arabia to be one of the guests at the MBF20 Mr Wael El Mulla, Director at Masr El Arabia Publishers, was invited as a guest at the Malta Book Festival 2020. The National Book Council has been working with Masr El Arabia for the past two years as they are the publishers of Immanuel Mifsud’s works in the Arab region. Mr Wael’s work ethics have been exemplary and very professional and, while we look forward to more projects with his publishing house, with great pleasure we await his contribution at next year’s Malta Book Festival. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] SHARE POST Related Articles The 43rd PLR Payment Is Out Public Lending Rights 8th October, 2025 Read More Meet the Exhibitors at the Malta Book Festival! News 8th October, 2025 Read More Writing Anew with Fresh Tools in Our Arsenal! Delve into Workshops and Masterclasses at the Malta Book Festival ’25 Malta Book Festival 2nd October, 2025 Read More Winners of the 2025 National Book Prize Announced at Verdala Castle News 26th September, 2025 Read More Everyone will be Writing Anew: The Full Programme for The Malta Book Festival Is Now Out! News 23rd September, 2025 Read More The National Book Council Launches the Malta Book Festival Trailer! News 16th September, 2025 Read More Make a mark abroad! Literary agent Simon Trewin offers practical networking tips during a free Zoom session News 12th September, 2025 Read More Bringing children’s literature to dynamic life on stage at the Malta Book Festival Festivals 10th September, 2025 Read More The National Book Council welcomes new board members News 10th September, 2025 Read More POSITION OF MANAGER WITH THE NATIONAL BOOK COUNCIL: JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 881/2025 News 9th September, 2025 Read More view all similar news
Writing Anew with Fresh Tools in Our Arsenal! Delve into Workshops and Masterclasses at the Malta Book Festival ’25 Malta Book Festival 2nd October, 2025 Read More
Winners of the 2025 National Book Prize Announced at Verdala Castle News 26th September, 2025 Read More
Everyone will be Writing Anew: The Full Programme for The Malta Book Festival Is Now Out! News 23rd September, 2025 Read More
The National Book Council Launches the Malta Book Festival Trailer! News 16th September, 2025 Read More
Make a mark abroad! Literary agent Simon Trewin offers practical networking tips during a free Zoom session News 12th September, 2025 Read More
Bringing children’s literature to dynamic life on stage at the Malta Book Festival Festivals 10th September, 2025 Read More
POSITION OF MANAGER WITH THE NATIONAL BOOK COUNCIL: JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 881/2025 News 9th September, 2025 Read More