The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is participating in the ongoing Frankfurt Book Fair as part of its mission to promote the Emirati publishing industry.
The 74th edition of the book fair, considered one of the oldest and largest of its kind, is being held at Messe Frankfurt from 19-23 October, 2022. The ALC is attending the fair to expand its reach into promising international markets for publishing as well as to promote the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) and other cultural events and projects it organizes.
The centre aims to explore the latest trends in publishing and creative industries using the Frankfurt Book Fair as an ideal platform to facilitate dialogue between publishers, content creators, and entrepreneurs across various creative disciplines. The ALC also aims to strengthen strategic cooperation with its German partners, boost relations and communication with decision-makers in the publishing field, while exploring the latest developments and technologies.
The ALC’s programme for the Frankfurt Book Fair includes a series of literary and cultural events. The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), an initiative of the ALC, is taking part in the book fair with an agenda that includes two expert-led panel discussions and a networking reception. With this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair illuminating the topic of ‘translation’ in all its richness under the theme ‘Translate. Transfer. Transform’, the SZBA’s plan for the event is to underpin the main theme.
The two panel discussions – ‘Growing the Book Business in the Arab World’ and ‘Coffeehouse to Internet: Arabic Literature in Transition’ – are designed to highlight opportunities and challenges for international publishers entering the Arab market, as well as the current developments in the Arab literary world. The networking reception, organized jointly by the ALC and the SZBA, gives publishers, translators, media representatives, stakeholders, and key partners an opportunity to learn more about the annual SZBA as well as the year-round Translation Fund available for international publishers to translate the SZBA-winning and shortlisted works into world languages. Titles that have benefitted from its Translation Grant are also being showcased by the SZBA.
Emirati publishers Afra Mahmoud of Ghaf Publications and Hessa Al-Jaroudi of Madar Publishing and Distribution are in the ALC’s delegation in Frankfurt, as part of its commitment to strengthen sustainable partnerships with Emirati publishers.
Chairman of the ALC Dr. Ali bin Tamim says, “The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and the Frankfurt Book Fair have built a robust partnership that has endured for many years. Over the course of this collaboration, the two entities have worked together to strengthen and support the local, regional, and international cultural scene with pioneering initiatives and projects. The fair offers a great opportunity to discuss significant developments, exchange experiences, and look into some of the current and potential challenges facing the publishing industry especially with the growth in digital technology within the industry. The Frankfurt Book Fair is also an ideal platform to discuss future trends and ways to achieve diversity, flexibility, and sustainability in the sector.”
“Our continued participation reflects our close ties with Germany, a country which we have partnered with in a series of notable projects, and which served as our guest of honour at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair for two consecutive years. The SZBA is an enabler of this exchange of culture and experiences between Germany and our region,” adds bin Tamim.
A total of 2,000 exhibitors from 150 countries are participating in this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair.
