The Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBo) has officially selected Sharjah as its inaugural Arab Guest of Honor, a historic first for the long-running event. The 39th edition of the fair is scheduled to take place in the Colombian capital from April 20 to May 3, 2027, hosted at the Corferias exhibition centre.
This partnership is designed to bring Emirati and Arab cultural heritage to the forefront of one of Latin America’s premier literary showcases. Beyond celebrating literary achievements, the initiative seeks to catalyze new opportunities for cooperation in the publishing and translation sectors between the Arab world and the South American region.
The official announcement was unveiled at a press conference held at the Bolívar Hall within the San Carlos Palace in Bogotá. The event featured notable attendees, including Colombia’s Minister of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge, Paula Andrea Holguín Moreno; Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) CEO Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri; and UAE Ambassador to Colombia, Mohamed Abdulla Al Shamsi. Other prominent figures present included representatives from the Colombian Book Chamber, the Corferias management, and local library networks, alongside various diplomatic and media stakeholders. The Bogotá International Book Fair is one of Colombia’s leading cultural events and a prominent book fair in the Spanish-speaking world, organised by the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias since 1988.
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA, highlighted the strategic significance of the selection. She noted that serving as the first Arab Guest of Honor offers a vital platform to deepen cross-regional cultural engagement. According to Sheikha Bodour, the objective is to establish enduring connections between writers, publishers, and cultural institutions, bridging the gap between Arab and Latin American literary traditions and audiences.
Minister Paula Andrea Holguín Moreno expressed Colombia’s enthusiasm for the partnership, citing years of productive collaboration with the UAE and Sharjah. She emphasized that the emirate is recognized globally for its focus on literature and knowledge, making it an ideal candidate to strengthen the dialogue between Colombian culture and the Arab world. She added that Sharjah’s model, which centers on books as a primary tool for human development, aligns with Colombia’s vision for cultural growth. We are building further on our shared knowledge and deep cultural ties, reflected in books that have documented and sustained this relationship, he said: “When we say today that Sharjah is meeting Bogotá. Further details will be announced by SBA at a later stage.
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the SBA, remarked that this honor reflects the global cultural stature the UAE has cultivated over decades. He drew connections between the two regions, referencing the influence of Arab presence in Gabriel García Márquez’s literature and the growing popularity of Latin American works among Arab readers. He credited the vision of the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, for placing books at the heart of the emirate’s international engagement.
The Colombian Book Chamber’s Executive President, Dr. Emiro Aristizábal Álvarez, highlighted the practical advantages for the publishing industry. He stated that the fair would serve as a conduit for Colombian publishers and agents to enter new international markets. Similarly, FILBo Director Adriana Cecilia Ángel Forero expressed hope that the collaboration would transcend books, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Arab traditions and contemporary voices. Yet there remains significant potential for their stories, ideas and contemporary voices to reach one another more widely, both regions have rich literary traditions. Agents, translators and authors to build relationships, explore collaboration and bring their work to wider audiences, it will enable publishers.
Sharjah’s participation follows previous successful guest-of-honor roles at major international book fairs, including those in São Paulo and Guadalajara. To mark the 2027 occasion, the Sharjah Book Authority is curating an extensive cultural program that will showcase the breadth of the emirate’s heritage and arts, while providing a dedicated professional track for industry experts to discuss publishing trends and collaborative opportunities. With meetings focused on translation, rights exchange and distribution, the programme will also include a professional track for publishing professionals.
