Warsaw: Emirati writer and researcher Dr. Sultan Al Ameemi and Polish novelist Radek Rak explored how literature crosses linguistic and cultural boundaries during a discussion hosted at Sharjah's pavilion at the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026. The session, part of Sharjah's Guest of Honour programme at the book fair, examined the evolving nature of contemporary fiction, the role of translation, and the relationship between writers, readers, and literary traditions.
According to Emirates News Agency, during the session titled 'Artistic and intellectual developments in contemporary Emirati and Polish literature', Al Ameemi highlighted that the growing translation of Arabic literature into other languages has strengthened literary exchange and expanded opportunities for dialogue between cultures. Al Ameemi noted that contemporary fiction increasingly engages with concerns shared across societies, regardless of geography or language, reflecting similarities long present in folk traditions across East and West.
Reflecting on the development of the Emirati novel, Al Ameemi observed that contemporary Emirati fiction has become increasingly open to experimentation in language, structure, and ideas. He emphasized that literary development is ultimately driven by the writer's individual creative vision.
Al Ameemi also argued that while literary prizes and competitions can support writers and recognize achievement, they do not create novelists. Lasting literary value, he stated, comes from a sustained commitment to craft and the development of a distinct creative voice.
Discussing the relationship between writers and readers, he noted that excessive concern with audience expectations can weaken a work. Readers bring different perspectives to the same text over time, meaning a novel may be interpreted differently by the same person at different stages of life.
Addressing translation, Al Ameemi said concerns about international readership should not shape the writing process. He argued that a writer's primary responsibility remains to the text itself, its language, and its artistic construction.
Speaking about language, Al Ameemi noted that Standard Arabic serves as the shared literary language of the Arab world, enabling readers across different countries to engage with a common literary tradition. He mentioned that Emirati poetry continues to thrive through both classical Arabic and Nabati traditions.
Radek Rak argued that literature derives its strength from balancing cultural specificity with universal human experience, citing Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose as an example. He added that cultural specificity gives literature its distinct character, while universal themes allow readers to connect with stories beyond their own experiences.
Discussing Polish and Finnish literature, Rak said the translator's role extends to conveying the cultural and linguistic essence of a text. He argued that novels are shaped not only by plot, but by the writer's perspective and interpretation of the world, offering insight into lives and experiences different from their own.