Greece is participating in the 'Libraries Conference', which focuses on innovation in library sciences and promoting a reading culture. The Greek pavilion features an olive tree sculpture, symbolizing resilience, peace, and wisdom, and a space to host readers, writers, and thinkers. The honorary guest program includes an exhibition titled 'Greek Literature: The Long Journey', tracing the evolution of the Greek language and its literature from pre-Christian times to the present. Greece's program as the honorary guest features the participation of over 70 prominent Greek figures, including writers, poets, translators, artists, and academics. The list of participants includes 10 writers, poets, and playwrights such as Antonios Skythas, Eugenia Douglis, Euripides Garantoudis, Konstantinos Katsoularis, Persa Komoti, Panagiotis Mendis, Danae Souzou, and Anastasia Finitou, who will present a series of poetry evenings and dialogue sessions exploring the contemporary Greek literary scene, the importance of translation between Arabic and Greek, and the enduring global influence of Greek literary and philosophical heritage. Greece has also prepared a series of translations of Greek works into Arabic. The program also includes joint sessions between Greek and Emirati writers, publishers, and translators, expanding the scope of cultural dialogue and opening a window into the Greek world for visitors. Greece's participation in the 'Sharjah Reads' event extends beyond cultural celebration to include professional engagement and participation in the 15th 'Publishers Conference', held prior to the exhibition. The conference brings together Greek publishers with their counterparts from over 70 countries in sessions and dialogues shaping the future of the global publishing industry. The Sharjah International Book Fair this year honors Greece as the guest of honor for its 44th edition, taking place from November 5-16 at the Sharjah Expo Centre. It hosts one of the world's most venerable artistic and literary cultures, offering visitors a diverse cultural experience through a comprehensive program covering literature, theater, music, and culinary arts, in recognition of Greece's contribution to enriching world civilization. Greece is participating with a national pavilion spanning 200 square meters, inspired by the aesthetics of classical Greek architecture. It will host 58 Greek publishers and cultural institutions, with 28 attending in person, and will showcase 600 titles in Greek and other world languages. Visitors to the 2025 Sharjah International Book Fair can enjoy Greek performing arts through a roaming theatrical performance organized by Dr. Anastasia Gourga. This performance is complemented by a musical-theatrical piece inspired by Greek poetry, presented by Nikolaos Platanos and Kyriaki Vlachoyianni on the opening day. The audience will witness a powerful theatrical work inspired by the poems of Yannis Ritsos, one of the most prominent Greek poets of the 20th century, known as the 'poet of the open windows to Greek epics'. This enriches the cultural aspect of the program. The program also includes a series of interactive workshops, such as 'The Workshop of Life and Writing', presented by Emilia Panta and Mata Gavrouglou, to introduce young people to the creativity and symbolism of Greek heritage, combining the 'Phaistos Disc' with contemporary imagination.
