The agreement was signed at the Moscow International Book Fair, where Sharjah is participating as the first Guest of Honour in the event’s history, according to the Emirates News Agency. Khoula Al Mujaini, general coordinator of fairs and festivals at the Sharjah Book Authority, signed on behalf of the UAE side while Elena Grebeneva, general director of the Autonomous Non-profit Organisation Directorate of International Book Exhibitions and Fairs, represented the Russian organisation. The partnership establishes frameworks for joint organisation of book fairs, literary events and mutual participation by publishers and cultural institutions from both countries.
According to details released through the Emirates News Agency, the memorandum encourages direct translation projects between Arabic and Russian while facilitating the exchange of publishing rights and opening communication channels among publishers, authors, translators and rights holders. It will increase the involvement of Russian institutions in the Sharjah International Book Fair and expand the presence of Emirati and Arab publishers at events across Russia. The Sharjah Book Authority presented 59 works by prominent Emirati and Arab authors already translated into Russian as part of its guest of honour programme at the fair.
SBA figures show its translation grant programme has supported 2,405 books since its launch in 2011, including 154 titles approved in 2026, which represents a 56 percent increase over the previous year’s total. The grant provides up to $4,000 for general books and $1,500 for children’s titles depending on word count, with Arabic works accounting for 76 of this year’s selections translated into 20 languages. The new Russian agreement builds directly on these translation initiatives to target greater availability of Arabic literature in the Russian market.
A Sharjah24 report from 2021 documented earlier SBA engagements in Moscow that explored library partnerships, dedicated Arabic book sections in Russian public libraries and mutual promotion of literature during the International Board on Books for Young People Congress. Those meetings involved the Russian State Library and the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, laying initial groundwork for knowledge exchange and joint conferences. The current memorandum formalises elements of that earlier dialogue into ongoing structured cooperation.
The Emirates News Agency noted that Sharjah’s participation in the Moscow fair also features an extensive cultural programme introducing Emirati heritage alongside modern literary contributions. Publishers from both regions stand to gain from the enhanced collaboration on rights exchanges and event participation. The Sharjah Book Authority continues its established pattern of international outreach to broaden access to Arabic titles in key global markets.
