PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

KITAB – the joint venture company between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair – hosted a high tea social event this week to showcase the planned activities around the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2009. The reception was in honor of the Ambassadors, Business Groups and Cultural Institutions and amongst others was attended by the Ambassadors from Switzerland, Belgium, US, Egypt, Sweden and Germany. Whereas, representatives from the Goethe Institute, British Council, Swiss Business Council and Sorbonne University also attended the evening.

The Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), HE Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei welcomed all the distinguished guests and thanked them for their valuable presence at the evening’s reception.

Mr Jumma Al Qubaisi, Director Abu Dhabi International Book Fair greeted the senior guests and while speaking at the event informed the guests about the developments of the ADIBF.

‘We look forward to building on the achievements of this year’s Fair in 2009 under the umbrella of meeting tomorrow’s markets today and we are as committed as ever to tackling the major issues facing the industry today, such as piracy, distribution and the publishing of translations. In the coming year we will also see a host of exciting developments from KITAB, as the organisation continues its work not only to develop and grow the Arab market, but also to promote reading and literacy across the region.’

Claudia Kaiser, General Manager of the joint venture company KITAB greeted the senior delegates from the Embassies and Cultural Institutions and took the opportunity to share with them some new developments which are in the pipeline for the 2009 Abu Dhabi International

Book Fair (ADIBF). Many of these are in direct response to consultation with international publishers who attended the 2008 Fair.

Building on the great success of the 2008 Fair, KITAB’s core aims include the development of the region’s book and publishing industry, improvement of links between Arab and international publishing communities and the promotion of reading throughout the U.A.E. The 2009 Fair will see many new developments, many in direct response to consultation with international publishers following the 2008 Fair, including a new space dedicated to antique books, cookbooks on show, a dedicated education conference and emphasis on educational publishing, an upgraded professional programme, and a continued focus on key issues such as piracy, distribution and publishing translations.

Highlights of the 2009 ADIBF and KITAB’s ongoing work over the coming twelve months include:

Spotlight on Rights
A new programme of subsidies, sponsored by ADACH, will see grants of US$1,000 for deals initiated or concluded at ADIBF. This is to encourage the rights trade of licenses to and by Arab Publishing houses or to and from the Arabic language.

Fighting Piracy
Continuing the fight to tackle piracy, the 2009 Fair will once again see publishers involved in piracy excluded. 2009’s emphasis on rights issues will raise awareness of copyright issues through a range of events and expert discussions on the subject. The activities will culminate in the IPA’s International Copyright Congress in 2010. 

Distribution System
Very soon, KITAB will be putting into place an innovative new distribution system, with a title catalogue, professional ordering system, improved means of transportation and a ‘print on demand’ service.

A dedicated ‘media zone’ is also in the making; a designated space giving foreign publishers the chance to set up office in Abu Dhabi, and gain maximum exposure in the Arab world.

Antiquarian Fair

In 2009, ADIBF will introduce the first Antiquarian Fair in the Arab World, showcasing internationally renowned antiquarians and a collection of exquisite and valuable antique books in multiple languages for sale.

International Author Recognition
The ADIBF will continue to highlight the Sheikh Zayed Book Awards, recognising world-renowned authors and intellectuals from the Arab World. In addition, the International Prize for Arabic Fiction will be awarded to an author who excels in contemporary Arabic creative writing.

International authors akin to literary giants like Amitav Ghosh will be attending the 2009 ADIBF whereas; more world renowned names are to be announced in the coming months.

Professional Programme
The 2008 ADIBF had a stronger professional programme than ever, and the 2009 fair promises to build on this. The match-making session; ‘Meet New Business Partners’, was particularly effective in establishing new international relationships, and this will be improved and expanded for next year when the Fair will once again be hub for the Arab book markets and for worldwide business.

ADIBF will also establish a trade database, making it even easier for international partners to do business with the Arab World and allowing publishing professionals to plan and set up appointments in advance of the Fair. 

Cookbooks on Show
For the first time the ADIBF will showcase international cookbooks. World-renowned and local chefs Chef Ramsi from Lebanon, Chef Fatema Hal from Morocco and Chef Wan from Malaysia will amaze the public with their cook show and will demonstrate their special recipes.

Public Programme
Encouraging children to read is a central aim for KITAB, and was a major theme for 2008. The 2009 Fair will develop this, with a range of reading promotion activities planned for the ‘Children’s Area’, and a larger space to be dedicated to children’s publishers.
The KITAB sofa as well as the Discussion Forum will continue to welcome high profile authors during the 2009 ADIBF. The 2009 ADIBF will once again act as an international showcase for the finest in Arabic fiction.

Reading Promotion
Book Crossing proved hugely popular when it was launched in the region for the first time this year by KITAB and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage; and an even more ambitious event of this kind is planned for 2009. Throughout the year 2008 a number of new and exciting activities are in the planning. KITAB will also build on existing partnerships with a range of institutions to promote reading, and develop new links and relationships across the region.
 

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About ADIBF 2009: 17 – 22 March 2009

General Info about ADIBF:

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is the most professionally organized, most ambitious and fastest growing book fair in the Middle East and North Africa. Abu Dhabi is the motor driving the professional and commercial development of the regional publishing industry, and is financially and philosophically committed to the long-term expansion of the global book business.

The 19th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is a major business initiative of KITAB, a joint venture of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage with the Frankfurt Book Fair. This cooperation allows for the exchange of ideas and expertise to develop an intellectual and professional forum for all sectors of the book industry of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond.

About KITAB:

Since November 2007, ADACH, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, and the Frankfurt Book Fair signed a deal to launch a joint venture company under the name of “KITAB”.
The aim of the joint venture is to develop the book and publishing industry and promote reading in Abu Dhabi and the neighbouring Emirates. A key part of this strategy is the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) collaborated on for the first time back in April 2007 with great success. KITAB will focus on making the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair truly international and develop long-term networking opportunities between the Arabic and international publishing communities.

A part of KITAB’s remit is to encourage the establishment of international publishing houses in Abu Dhabi. KITAB will be instrumental in helping to develop a quality distribution system in the Arab World, as well as contribute to the professionalism in the entire Arab market.

For further information please contact ADIBF:
Irum Fawad
Marketing and PR Manager
Tel: +971 2 6212975 / Ext. 109
Email: ifawad@kitab.com