• Following the hugely successful 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organiser KITAB will unveil its plans for the future at the London Book Fair, as well as announcing several new developments for Abu Dhabi International Book Fair  (ADIBF) 2009. The presentation “Business Opportunities in the Arab World – KITAB and the Abu Dhabi international Book Fair” is to take place on 14 April, 12.30 – 13.30 in Wellington Rooms, Earls Court one.

KITAB – the joint venture company between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair – will announce a range of new initiatives for 2008 and 2009. These  are based upon KITAB’s core aims of promoting reading in Abu Dhabi and the neighbouring Emirates, developing the region’s book and publishing industry and improving links between Arab and international publishing communities. 

Several new developments are also already in the pipeline for the 2009 ADIBF, many of which are in direct response to consultation with international publishers who attended the 2008 Fair. These include a new space dedicated to Antique Books, an emphasis on education and educational publishing, an upgraded professional programme, and a continued focus on key issues such as piracy, distribution and publishing translations.

Highlights from the 2009 Fair programme, and KITAB’s ongoing work over the coming twelve months include:

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. 
Fighting Piracy
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has been a leading force in the fight  to tackle piracy, and this promises to be even more a focus in the coming twelve months, with publishers involved in piracy once again excluded form the Fair. There will also be an emphasis on rights issues at the 2009 Fair, as well as a range of events and expert discussions on the subject, designed to raise awareness of copyright issues in publishing circles and amongst the general public. All these activities will lead to the International Copyright Congress, to be hosted for the IPA in 2010.

Distribution system
KITAB continues to support the development of effective distribution channels in the Arab world, and to contribute to the professionalisation of the entire Arab market. KITAB aims to put into place an innovative new distribution system over the coming months, with a title catalogue, professional ordering system, improved means of transportation and a ‘print on demand’ service to be introduced.

Professional Programme
The 2008 ADIBF had a stronger professional programme than ever, and next year’s 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. 

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.

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 promotions and activities planned for the ‘Children’s Area’, and a larger space to be dedicated to children’s publishers for the first time.

The KITAB sofa as well as the Discussion Forum will continue to welcome high profile international authors during the 2009 ADIBF, when even more visitors than in previous years are expected to enjoy a full and varied literary programme. A range of big-name authors are set to be announced in the coming months and the Fair will once again act as an international showcase for the finest in Arabic fiction.

Jumaa al-Qubaisi, Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair commented:

‘We look forward to building on the achievements of this year’s Fair in 2009, 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.’
 

-ends-
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:
Claudia Kaiser,
General Manager
Tel: +971 2 6212975
Email: ckaiser@adbookfair.com

For media enquiries please contact:
Helen Wharton or Truda Spruyt
Colman Getty Consultancy
Tel: 0207 631 2666
Email: helen@colmangetty.co.uk

482 exhibitors from 42 countries participated in the Fair, with 159 publishers from outside the Arab world exhibiting this year. These figures demonstrate the growing international standing of the event, and underline the Fair’s position as a hub not only for the Arab book markets but also for worldwide business. Many publishers from India, China, Pakistan and Russia attended ADIBF for the first time; and collective stands from French and German publishers were another new addition to the Fair.

Professional Programme
KITAB, the joint venture company between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair, is also delighted at the success of one of the major new developments for the 2008 Fair: the introduction of the first ever dedicated day for trade professionals, on March 11th.

Highlights included the match-making session; ‘Meet New Business Partners’, which generated positive feedback from publishers keen to establish new international relationships.
Publishers, distributors, librarians and other book professionals had the opportunity to attend sessions on a range of topics in the revamped and extended Business Lounge, including rights and licences, publishing translations and a focus on how to approach the Arab book market.

Another new event this year which proved hugely popular was the ‘Get Together for Women in the Publishing Industry’ session;  a networking opportunity solely for female publishing professionals.

Showcasing Arabic Literature
Thousands of visitors attended the Fair to buy books, pick up new titles from exhibiting publishers, and enjoy the most exciting and varied programme of author events to date.

The award ceremony for the inaugural International Prize for Arabic Fiction took place on the eve of the Fair, with winning author Baha Taher being interviewed on the Kitab Sofa during the Fair as part of the wide-ranging literature strand. Other highlights from a number of Arabic ‘publishing celebrities’ included appearances from best-selling Egyptian author Alaa al-Aswany and ‘Talking Literature: Love Matters – Female Writing in Saudi Arabia’; with writers Leila al-Juhani and Badrya al-Bishr.

A further exciting new initiative which drew in the crowds this year was the introduction of ‘Textbox’, a soundproof booth hosting interactive ‘Slam Poetry’ readings, with Arabic translations and audience participation.

ADIBF helps get children reading
Encouraging more children to read was a key theme of the Fair this year, and is one of KITAB’s central aims. A range of leading international experts including Linda de Vos (from the Children’s Public Library, Frankfurt, Germany) and Hasmig Chahinian (French National Centre for Children’s Literature, Arab World division) took part in th

482 exhibitors from 42 countries participated in the Fair, with 159 publishers from outside the Arab world exhibiting this year. These figures demonstrate the growing international standing of the event, and underline the Fair’s position as a hub not only for the Arab book markets but also for worldwide business. Many publishers from India, China, Pakistan and Russia attended ADIBF for the first time; and collective stands from French and German publishers were another new addition to the Fair.

Professional Programme
KITAB, the joint venture company between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair, is also delighted at the success of one of the major new developments for the 2008 Fair: the introduction of the first ever dedicated day for trade professionals, on March 11th.

Highlights included the match-making session; ‘Meet New Business Partners’, which generated positive feedback from publishers keen to establish new international relationships.
Publishers, distributors, librarians and other book professionals had the opportunity to attend sessions on a range of topics in the revamped and extended Business Lounge, including rights and licences, publishing translations and a focus on how to approach the Arab book market.

Another new event this year which proved hugely popular was the ‘Get Together for Women in the Publishing Industry’ session;  a networking opportunity solely for female publishing professionals.

Showcasing Arabic Literature
Thousands of visitors attended the Fair to buy books, pick up new titles from exhibiting publishers, and enjoy the most exciting and varied programme of author events to date.

The award ceremony for the inaugural International Prize for Arabic Fiction took place on the eve of the Fair, with winning author Baha Taher being interviewed on the Kitab Sofa during the Fair as part of the wide-ranging literature strand. Other highlights from a number of Arabic ‘publishing celebrities’ included appearances from best-selling Egyptian author Alaa al-Aswany and ‘Talking Literature: Love Matters – Female Writing in Saudi Arabia’; with writers Leila al-Juhani and Badrya al-Bishr.

A further exciting new initiative which drew in the crowds this year was the introduction of ‘Textbox’, a soundproof booth hosting interactive ‘Slam Poetry’ readings, with Arabic translations and audience participation.

ADIBF helps get children reading
Encouraging more children to read was a key theme of the Fair this year, and is one of KITAB’s central aims. A range of leading international experts including Linda de Vos (from the Children’s Public Library, Frankfurt, Germany) and Hasmig Chahinian (French National Centre for Children’s Literature, Arab World division) took part in the seminar ‘Let’s Read! Creative Examples of Promoting Reading among Children from Germany, France and the UAE’.

Activities in the Children’s Corner were particularly well-attended, with a more varied programme of events and activities on offer than ever before; including workshops for parents and teachers and Emirati stories being read to children.

Jumaa al-Qubaisi, Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair stated today:
‘We are delighted at the success of this year’s Fair and  are particularly pleased to have welcomed more international exhibitors than ever before, demonstrating our commitment to promoting and developing global business opportunities. We are equally proud of the strong cultural programme this year, as the Fair continues to lead the way as a major international showcase for Arabic authors. We would like to thanks all participants and visitors who contributed to another great year, and we look forward to building on these achievements in 2009.’

Emirati poet Kareem Matouq appeared at the Fair in a prime-time evening session at the Discussion Forum, where he recited his poetry and shared his inspirations and delight at being crowned with the prestigious ‘Prince of Poets’ title. The session proved to be a highly popular event that was attended by visitors of all ages and nationalities.

History was also on the programme agenda thanks to an appearance on the Kitab Sofa by German-born Dr Frauke Heard-Bey, author of well-known book ‘From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates: A Society in Transition’ . Dr Heard-Bey, whose book is considered as the first extensive history of the UAE, has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1967 and shared many of her thoughts on the development of the country.

American author Michael Hamilton Morgan was also under the spotlight at the Discussion Forum on Saturday evening. Hamilton Morgan was at ADIBF to showcase his latest book, ‘Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers and Artists’ and gave an informative talk on the region’s contribution to science, intellectualism and the arts.

Continuing the same theme, the exhibition ‘1001 Inventions: Discover the Muslim Heritage in Our World’ is proving a highlight for many of the show’s visitors. The exhibition, which is designed to showcase a book of the same name, reveals the best-kept secrets and over a thousand years of

Originally planned to take place each day from 4pm to 8pm, the hosts of the Textbox, ‘slam poets’ Bas Boettcher and Timotheus, are putting on extra shows as a result of popular demand. Now running from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm daily, the two hosts will be handling both the technical aspects of this poetry platform and the performance itself.

‘Slam Poetry’ is a form of interactive poetry that is based on performing a mixture of pre-written texts and ad-libbing whatever the performer feels in the ‘heat of the moment’. Depending on how the audiences react to this free form of recital, slam poetry guarantees that each and every performance will be unique and spontaneous.

Guests visiting the Fair have been treated to Bas and Timotheus’ own writing on a multitude of wide-ranging subjects such as love, city infrastructure, IT and the critique of materialism and consumerism.

Children in particular have flocked to experience the Textbox. Bas, who is the creator of Textbox, commented: “It is easy to explain why children are especially attracted to us. They are naturally curious and spontaneous and more fascinated by new sounds and languages.”

Amer, aged 11 years, thought the Textbox was amusing. He said: “I really like the Textbox, it’s very nice. I am enjoying the Fair and have bought some art and comic books, because I like drawing.”

Hadia, 64, felt it was a direct and powerful way to feel the expressions of the performers, blending technology with the senses. “They were talking about a broad variety of subjects and I think it is a quick way to learn and connect to other cultures and their thoughts and ideas.” He added, “We live in Beirut, but my son wants us to come here every year for ADIBF, and we all will happily come again,” she added.

Central to today’s programme was a seminar entitled ‘Let’s Read! Creative Examples of Promoting Reading among Children from Germany, France and the UAE’. Experts Linda de Vos (from the Children’s Public Library, Frankfurt, Germany) and Hasmig Chahinian (French National Centre for Children’s Literature, Arab World division) shared their experiences across both regions aand presented results of a workshop held in cooperation with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Women’s Campus Abu Dhabi, the Goethe Institute, the Alliance Française and the French and German Embassies, which was aimed at parents and teachers. With more than 60% of the region’s population aged under 30, the educational development of the younger generation in the Arab world is key to its development. This session explored creative ways to encourage more reading by young people and directly involved students from HCT.

The Discussion Forum included sessions with Algerian author Dr Wasseeni al-Araj hosting ‘Writing and its value in the Arab World’ with Jamal al-Ghitani (Egypt), Badrya Bishr (KSA) and Dr Nazir al-Adma (Syria). The speakers discussed the state of writing in the region and its influences with today’s reading generation.

Also proving popular with visitors, the ‘KITAB Sofa’ showcased short listed authors from the inaugural International Prize for Arabic Fiction, which were announced earlier in the week.

Other seminars aimed at book publishing professionals included the presentation of Cairo based series professional trainings, promoting the translation of literature from a European perspective, and online media.

KiITAB has announced new timings for ‘ladies only’ opening this weekend. Saturday, March 15 will be open for ladies only from 10am – 1pm. The Fair will be accessible to the general public again from 4 - 9pm as scheduled.

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