Sharjah, November 9 Books maybe destroyed but cannot be erased from memory, says Palestinian publisher at SIBF 21
A recipient of royal philanthropy, Samir Mansour has rebuilt his publishing business and is attending the book fair for the first time.
Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, Palestinian publisher SamirMansour and his publishing house – the Samir Mansour Library - is at the Sharjah International Book Fair with a stall despitesuffering a colossal loss six months back. His bookshop in Gaza, Palestine, had been destroyed in an airstrike in May 2021. Book lovers from around the world then got together to help replace the 100,000 books that had been lost through donations in cash and books.
The most notable donation came from HH Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA) and a leading champion of books and publishing in the Arab region. Sheikha Bodour, who is also theFounder and CEO of the UAE-based Kalimat Group (KG), had announced in August that the entire sales proceeds of her latest children’s book ‘World Book Capital’ will go to restock Mansour’s bookstore.
Her contributions have helped revive the bookstore, and its resilient owner cannot find enough words to thank SheikhaBodour for her generosity and kindness. “Her Highness paid attention to my tragedy and helped me when many didn’t. Nobody does that anymore. This shows that she promotes, protects and cares for culture.”
He was also all praise for the SIBF, and its flawless and grand execution. “Regardless of the selling and buying of books, the event itself is so wonderful with different activities and cultural programmes for 11 days,” he emphasised. “This is my first time in Sharjah, in the UAE and at the SIBF. I am so happy to be here.”
Airstrikes, siege and restrictions in movement are a part of his life. “Even if it happens again, we will rebuild from the start.Nothing can stop us from starting all over again,” he revealed the indomitable Palestinian spirit.
He also has two branches of the bookstore in Gaza city but when the tower housing the main office in Gaza was razed, 70% of his business was gone. But he started republishing and reprinting the very next day to maintain the archives. “The publishing house is my whole life, and I have many employees I consider my family. So I have to go on. No force can destroy culture,especially Palestinian culture and struggle,” he stated. “Even if culture as documented in books is destroyed, it cannot be erased from memory. So it will be easy to reproduce it.”
Mansour’s collection is predominantly in printed, physical format. He has just started to work with e-books, and now has a website for the publishing house. “It is just a beginning. If someone in the U.S. wants a book, he can download it for a fee. Personally, I feel printed books are more important.”
For the time being, he has no solid plans for audio books either. “But I have nothing against it. Anything that will benefit readers, I don’t mind doing especially if they cannot obtainprinted copies.”
His clientele includes all age groups and all segments – students, research scholars, children and the general reading public. To serve his people better, he is planning to open a cultural centre – to be called the Samir Mansour Cultural Centre – in Gaza.
After experiencing the Sharjah book fair, he wants to open ashop branch in Sharjah. “I feel it is important I have something here.”
A father of 11 children, Mansour is in Sharjah with his wife and oldest son, pursuing business administration back home.
Don’t forget to look up K11 booth at SIBF.
