Four-day programme strengthens global dialogue on women’s leadership, publishing rights, and international collaboration
WARSAW, May 31, 2026 — PublisHer, the global community dedicated to advancing women across the publishing industry, has concluded a successful four-day programme at the Warsaw International Book Fair, reinforcing its mission to elevate women’s voices and leadership in publishing worldwide.
Held from May 28 to 31, PublisHer’s participation formed part of Sharjah’s role as Guest of Honour at this year’s fair, highlighting the emirate’s commitment to fostering international cultural exchange, literary collaboration, and dialogue across global markets.
Located within the Sharjah Book Authority’s official Guest of Honour pavilion, the PublisHer stand attracted publishing professionals, authors, readers, and industry leaders from Poland and beyond. Throughout the event, visitors engaged in discussions focused on leadership, publishing innovation, translation, and cross-border literary exchange.
Speaking about the event, PublisHer Founder Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said the organisation’s presence in Warsaw was made possible through its longstanding partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority.
“Sharjah’s Guest of Honour participation has provided a fantastic opportunity to introduce PublisHer to women across the Polish publishing ecosystem. We leave Warsaw, the focus of Poland’s deep-rooted reading culture, with new friendships and partnerships, and the renewed conviction that connecting women in publishing in all markets has never been more vital,” she said.
A major highlight of the programme was the panel discussion titled “Women Reshaping Global Publishing: Who Decides What the World Will Read?”, held on May 29 on the fair’s Main Stage. The session explored how women leaders are influencing acquisition strategies, translation decisions, and the international movement of stories across cultures and markets.
The discussion was moderated by Magda Szpyrka-Ankiewicz and featured prominent publishing professionals Sonia Draga, Clare Christian, and Magdalena Kłos Podsiadło.
On May 30, PublisHer hosted another key discussion at the Sharjah Stage titled “What Translates, What Travels: Rights, Translation and Market Access Between the UAE and Poland.” Organised in collaboration with the Emirates Publishers Association, the session examined the factors that determine which books successfully cross international borders and how publishers can improve market access for diverse voices.
Moderated by Anna Jarota, the panel brought together Małgorzata Duda-Klag, Joanna Maciuk, Ameera BuKadra, and Dr Latifa AlHaj, who shared insights on publishing rights, translation opportunities, and strengthening literary ties between the UAE and Poland.
Strengthening Global Publishing Networks
PublisHer’s participation in Warsaw reflects its broader mission of creating opportunities for women across all sectors of publishing while encouraging greater international cooperation. By bringing together industry experts from different markets, the initiative continues to promote diversity, inclusion, and knowledge-sharing within the global publishing community.
The Warsaw International Book Fair provided a valuable platform for building new partnerships and expanding conversations around women’s leadership in publishing, further reinforcing Sharjah’s growing role as a global cultural and literary hub.
