After a year of creative effort, the luxurious coffee table book ‘Sharjah: The Capital of Culture’ has been unveiled, beautifully capturing the emirate’s rich cultural essence. The esteemed publication was officially launched today at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, offering guests an immersive experience through its seven narrative chapters.
Created in partnership with Assouline, a globally renowned luxury publisher, this book marks a significant achievement in elevating Sharjah’s cultural prominence on the international stage.
This is the second collaboration between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Assouline, following the successful release of a book on Mleiha at last year’s book fair.
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“This year, we introduced the Mleiha book in Arabic at the book fair, and today we are thrilled to launch the Sharjah book,” stated Ahmad Obaid Al Qaseer, Executive Director of Shurooq.
Exploring Sharjah’s Essence
Al Qaseer described the project as an endeavor to reveal the “soul of the city” beyond its physical structures.
“The core idea of this book was to highlight Sharjah’s spirit,” Al Qaseer explained. “Sharjah is an emirate known for its culture, knowledge, and sustainability. We emphasized content over structures to truly engage the reader in the city’s essence.”
The launch event at the House of Wisdom brought this vision to life, featuring sections dedicated to the book’s seven themes: architecture, art, education, environment, literature, museums, and craftsmanship.
The chapters guide readers from Sharjah’s historical roots to its future, capturing the emirate’s vision and defining projects.
A Year in Creation
Al Qaseer emphasized the extensive effort required to create such a high-quality book. “We spent about a year working on this project,” he noted. “It involved photographers and meticulous fact-checking. The book’s quality is outstanding — from the content to the photography, it demands significant dedication.”
This commitment to quality is a hallmark of Assouline, a leading publisher in art and culture books known for its visually stunning ‘coffee table books’ that are both collector’s items and decorative pieces.
“These books are cherished for their exceptional quality — both in content and photography,” Al Qaseer remarked. “The allure of Assouline books is that they are often purchased to enhance decor or interior design.”
Ahmad Obaid Al Qaseer. Photo: Supplied
Exclusively in Print
As a testament to its exclusivity, no digital version will be available. Al Qaseer was clear on this point.
“A digital edition is not an option. This book is a physical luxury item — a coffee table book. It’s meant to be a tangible experience,” he explained. “This is Assouline’s philosophy. Their books are intended to be displayed as showpieces.”
The book will be accessible globally, sharing Sharjah’s story with an international audience. It will be available for purchase starting tomorrow, November 11.
It will be featured at the Sharjah International Book Fair on the Sarab platform and sold at Shurooq’s outlets, including the House of Wisdom, with additional locations to follow.
It will also be showcased in Assouline’s prestigious stores worldwide, including New York, Paris, London, and Riyadh in the Arab world. The physical book can also be ordered through Assouline’s online platforms globally.
“Today, for instance, we were in London at Assouline Maison, where their books are available. We anticipate the Sharjah book will be available online and in most Assouline locations globally,” Al Qaseer mentioned.
Arabic Edition Forthcoming
Following the English release, Al Qaseer confirmed plans for an Arabic edition in this ongoing collaboration.
“This is just the beginning with Assouline. The next phase is to launch the Arabic edition soon,” he said.
With its release, Al Qaseer envisions the book becoming a staple in homes across the emirate and beyond. “We hope to see the Assouline Sharjah book everywhere. It will adorn every home in Sharjah,” he expressed.
