![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WGKOYLRE4MUGOQHSYSFKKLHYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e6156ebdaeb03f36b8898ad05d1a8798ce9961deb954a891048e9699944aebe&width=400&height=225)
The children's area at Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BSZQAXJJ2ZPUH7CDYDBLC4D6T4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a493d10a82c395a09deb11f4996c3079974f8215a13a087b4e3a17b3325459c8&width=400&height=225)
The entrance to the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7CVCN6I3GPCREIL6YGM5PX2EUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d771a3fd56e8f469b1ac51b8b7ddadc2b31925a347471129bada094006210706&width=400&height=225)
Inside the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FAB54UHJC27AH53FT3R73SLS5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=397e1d129c702cd3d3fcd5034368324598db101e5010037a1a143ea30ac6a22b&width=400&height=225)
A presentation room for book launches and signings at the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LATLNUJYM3BVX27BGQOWH6PLCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ad4e9d093a70f339db600acbd9df625b7400fa70927587a4bef0f4b8bf65c2e&width=400&height=225)
A presentation room for book launches and signings at the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3N6WSKTTBKFVUUFUG6I4XJLY5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1fab318e12bfc5f5a0834d85810b379168f73ca220af1b0c0a318e1839f9f8a&width=400&height=225)
A cafe in the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2FHUURLPX5ODMQ5BJTR7JBCIVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=54e812591e4b0027190def8d9ecc3c8a6a65883efcb3eeffb670081bd5ee3d47&width=400&height=225)
Salim Omar Salim, director of Sharjah Publishing City. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P2SMEUY64A5U5FDCRCZZDKA7E4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d18150bbc741529b36b75c4f7d512fa9557ead5536c295279c31840db5df229&width=400&height=225)
The beach library in Sharjah is a World Book Capital initiative. Photo: Ruel Pableo for the National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPAV242HJRAY2Y7GK656N24H3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=396d0320f0b9772b5b5b7ee0e7dc6292427010a5416a4d38a14e2f7a69f71859&width=400&height=225)
The beach library in Sharjah is a World Book Capital initiative. Photo: Ruel Pableo for the National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A3ZNMRYTGYEHROKR27C2XWDH5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=13d340dd96ec75d4bbb584f84324e5e53ab2cbc9a511b71097c100dd54957818&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library moved to Cultural Square in 2011. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PGV2HMLMHFBUFYEAHVFMKH6W7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=db936d9ee185478b58286dc88b4fb312f5d839694d6c846b1cb4f3ea296475ea&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library welcomes 120,000 visitors every year. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OP5DHXPKUR5QZX5OCTVR2HW2VM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e2fea7647395ac0452abeb366699980fa26ef94a6d5beab64a0a471a0e50381d&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RFJEJLMHYU2ZUGFN7BFMGYPSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d4f5e3420774091cb52e975c5110294c1a51cf3bb2abc17892979ec0417b01d&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PNIAZMRDFL4P224TYCUPDLWFUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9a910af933e6d8f0f62f63b07bf35fe33993f86f883e35596c261a4c19fea2f&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IHDEDKQWHEJCSBUJDPUOEJW5LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbdcae62c64559bf439b2e8364e25d83eff1db2e33404ad5c899f68ff387e232&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WMYWA4TMM5WINOP5X3SWK32JRA.jpg?smart=true&auth=379d2db94bbd161e6deec88830e66558d264ca2c0fa96ed103faca7c90e5c523&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IMBJSLCHD64MLC3QJW3OEFSNME.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d112c2306c09999314934228e127d9ca87bb31546d2a1f6c0a4a564a4972c1e&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library has a range of interactive services. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VF5INQBOVA6KFGGF4MVLXHPWPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=542d1122f4ea61c76e3e4d2ea0bda3f2f50b1d1f4e6ca0d8e79d7bc5eb345ce0&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5ALBZ4BNYQRIWAHOCAKAY7RJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6768683ee330074dc54bedb31a868422be9c74854c54d34a816840aef68c963e&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WGKOYLRE4MUGOQHSYSFKKLHYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e6156ebdaeb03f36b8898ad05d1a8798ce9961deb954a891048e9699944aebe&width=400&height=225)
The children's area at Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BSZQAXJJ2ZPUH7CDYDBLC4D6T4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a493d10a82c395a09deb11f4996c3079974f8215a13a087b4e3a17b3325459c8&width=400&height=225)
The entrance to the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7CVCN6I3GPCREIL6YGM5PX2EUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d771a3fd56e8f469b1ac51b8b7ddadc2b31925a347471129bada094006210706&width=400&height=225)
Inside the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FAB54UHJC27AH53FT3R73SLS5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=397e1d129c702cd3d3fcd5034368324598db101e5010037a1a143ea30ac6a22b&width=400&height=225)
A presentation room for book launches and signings at the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LATLNUJYM3BVX27BGQOWH6PLCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ad4e9d093a70f339db600acbd9df625b7400fa70927587a4bef0f4b8bf65c2e&width=400&height=225)
A presentation room for book launches and signings at the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3N6WSKTTBKFVUUFUG6I4XJLY5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1fab318e12bfc5f5a0834d85810b379168f73ca220af1b0c0a318e1839f9f8a&width=400&height=225)
A cafe in the Sharjah Book Authority. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2FHUURLPX5ODMQ5BJTR7JBCIVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=54e812591e4b0027190def8d9ecc3c8a6a65883efcb3eeffb670081bd5ee3d47&width=400&height=225)
Salim Omar Salim, director of Sharjah Publishing City. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P2SMEUY64A5U5FDCRCZZDKA7E4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d18150bbc741529b36b75c4f7d512fa9557ead5536c295279c31840db5df229&width=400&height=225)
The beach library in Sharjah is a World Book Capital initiative. Photo: Ruel Pableo for the National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPAV242HJRAY2Y7GK656N24H3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=396d0320f0b9772b5b5b7ee0e7dc6292427010a5416a4d38a14e2f7a69f71859&width=400&height=225)
The beach library in Sharjah is a World Book Capital initiative. Photo: Ruel Pableo for the National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A3ZNMRYTGYEHROKR27C2XWDH5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=13d340dd96ec75d4bbb584f84324e5e53ab2cbc9a511b71097c100dd54957818&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library moved to Cultural Square in 2011. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PGV2HMLMHFBUFYEAHVFMKH6W7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=db936d9ee185478b58286dc88b4fb312f5d839694d6c846b1cb4f3ea296475ea&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library welcomes 120,000 visitors every year. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OP5DHXPKUR5QZX5OCTVR2HW2VM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e2fea7647395ac0452abeb366699980fa26ef94a6d5beab64a0a471a0e50381d&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2RFJEJLMHYU2ZUGFN7BFMGYPSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d4f5e3420774091cb52e975c5110294c1a51cf3bb2abc17892979ec0417b01d&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PNIAZMRDFL4P224TYCUPDLWFUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9a910af933e6d8f0f62f63b07bf35fe33993f86f883e35596c261a4c19fea2f&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IHDEDKQWHEJCSBUJDPUOEJW5LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbdcae62c64559bf439b2e8364e25d83eff1db2e33404ad5c899f68ff387e232&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WMYWA4TMM5WINOP5X3SWK32JRA.jpg?smart=true&auth=379d2db94bbd161e6deec88830e66558d264ca2c0fa96ed103faca7c90e5c523&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IMBJSLCHD64MLC3QJW3OEFSNME.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d112c2306c09999314934228e127d9ca87bb31546d2a1f6c0a4a564a4972c1e&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library has a range of interactive services. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VF5INQBOVA6KFGGF4MVLXHPWPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=542d1122f4ea61c76e3e4d2ea0bda3f2f50b1d1f4e6ca0d8e79d7bc5eb345ce0&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5ALBZ4BNYQRIWAHOCAKAY7RJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6768683ee330074dc54bedb31a868422be9c74854c54d34a816840aef68c963e&width=400&height=225)
The Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WGKOYLRE4MUGOQHSYSFKKLHYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e6156ebdaeb03f36b8898ad05d1a8798ce9961deb954a891048e9699944aebe&width=400&height=225)
The children's area at Sharjah Library. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
How Sharjah became the go-to destination for publishers and readers
With Sharjah being named World Book Capital 2019, we discover how the small emirate has become a giant in the arts world
![Rupert Hawksley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F95bc11f5-8afc-4853-952f-769529b7066f.png?smart=true&auth=b9c2e3d3a44d85f8a8f6e88cd3dcd0b9d8aaaf82d968aa600c8fc58b8335b29a&width=70&height=70)
Rupert Hawksley
22 September, 2019
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic