Al Aqroubi made these remarks during a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), titled “UNESCO and the World Book Capital Initiative,” which brought together prominent cultural figures from Sharjah and the Greek capital, Athens, the Guest of Honour of this year’s edition.
The session aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two sides and explore new horizons for cultural dialogue among UNESCO’s World Book Capitals.
Besides Al Aqroubi, the discussion also featured Anna Rotsi, founding member of the UNESCO Network of World Book Capitals and the Greek branch of PEN International. The session was moderated by Amina Al Mazmi, Director of the Kalimat Foundation.
The speakers explored how literature, reading and cultural exchange can enhance communication and understanding among societies and peoples.
Al Aqroubi spoke about the journey that led UNESCO to grant Sharjah the title of World Book Capital in 2019. “Sharjah’s cultural journey began more than a century ago,” she said. “Receiving this title was a tribute to its sustained efforts to promote knowledge and innovation. The emirate’s first library, the Sharjah Public Library, was established as far back as 1925.”
Tracing the emirate’s deep-rooted cultural history, Al Aqroubi noted that Sharjah laid the foundations of its literary and educational identity long ago. She added, “With the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council, the emirate established a strong cultural framework through pioneering projects such as the Library in Every Home initiative, which distributed 42,366 libraries to Emirati households in Sharjah — an achievement unprecedented in the region.”
Al Aqroubi emphasised that Sharjah’s leadership within the World Book Capitals Network has had a tangible humanitarian impact. The emirate supported the reconstruction of libraries in Beirut following the port explosion. It also sent educational materials to schools in Conakry, Guinea, and to areas affected by crises. “These initiatives are not political bridges,” she said, “but rather bridges of knowledge and culture.”
Al Aqroubi added that Sharjah continues to build on the momentum of its World Book Capital title by launching new publishing initiatives and forming global partnerships that sustain its cultural legacy.
For her part, Anna Rotsi discussed how the World Book Capital title revitalised Athens during a period marked by economic and social challenges. “When Athens received the title, Greece was facing a severe economic crisis,” she said. “The initiative rekindled a sense of pride among the Greek people and revived cultural diplomacy in Athens and across the country.”
Rotsi explained that Athens’ greatest challenge was not only to celebrate literature but also to bring books to readers who could not access them. “We combined books with art and cinema to transform reading into a social and interactive experience that everyone could enjoy,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration among the World Book Capitals, Rotsi noted that the network connects all participating cities, allowing them to share expertise and support newly nominated capitals. “This title extends beyond a single year,” she said. “It builds a network of cooperation and a lasting framework for amplifying the cultural impact of books and ensuring access to literature on a global scale.”
The recognition of Sharjah and Athens as World Book Capitals underscores a shared conviction that books form the most enduring foundations for human connection, societal progress and cultural flourishing.
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