The 19th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is organised by Kitab – translated from the Arabic word for book - a joint venture established in 2007 by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and the Frankfurt International Book Fair, one of the most successful publishing industry fairs worldwide.
Kitab's founding principle was to raise the bar in the publishing industry in the MENA region. With its growing reputation as a cultural hub, Abu Dhabi seemed the obvious choice for the fair. "Kitab was created with the specific goal of introducing best practices and raising the standards of professionalism in the publishing industry across the Middle East," says Claudia Kaiser, general manager of ADIBF.
"Abu Dhabi is emerging as an international hub for many media and associated industries and is ideally placed to be the leader in the MENA region."
A forum for sharing
Prior to the inaugural ADIBF in 1987, Kaiser says there was no forum for Arab publishers to share information. This has now changed. "Kitab and the International Publishers Association have recently created and launched the Arab Publishers Syndicate in order to provide a forum for Arab publishers," she says. Each fair is attended by more than 400,000 visitors and almost 500 publishers.
"The whole of the industry is also represented in addition to the many members of the public," says Kaiser. "For foreign publishers considering entering the Arab market, it is the ideal way to familiarise themselves with the market and the opportunities it offers," she says. "For both foreign and local trade, there is the opportunity to network with potential and existing customers and business partners."
At ADIBF 2009, Kitab will launch Spotlight on Rights –
an initiative designed to facilitate industry networking. "This will highlight the issues faced by those trying to secure licensing deals," says Kaiser. "It will provide a match-making programme to introduce licensors and lisensees. It will also provide a subsidy to all licence deals that will be agreed at the ADIBF 2009, helping publishers financially and hopefully encouraging the finalisation of deals."
Networking opportunities
According to Jumaa Al Qubaisi, Director of ADIBF and the National Library, ADACH, the networking opportunities that will be presented by the Trade Day and the Business Lounge initiatives will be particularly beneficial. "Trade Day will allow trade visitors the opportunity to network and meet other members of the professional community, before the public arrives," he says. "The Business Lounge will serve the same function for the entire duration of the show, allowing exhibitors and trade visitors a private place to make deals and network.
It is especially appreciated by those who are non-exhibitors as it gives them a space to settle into in the absence of a stand." There are several other advantages for trade visitors attending the ADIBF, believes Al Qabaisi. "The Education Chapter will allow those in the education sector to network," he says. "It also enables them to select from a huge range of texts, the most suitable books for their programmes."
For non-trade visitors, there are several events planned to ensure ADIBF will be both engaging and accessible. These will include an antiquarian fair and a children's corner. "The Antiquarian Book Fair will be the Arab world's first antiquarian fair, and will comprise valuable antique books showcased by renowned antiquarians," says Al Qubaisi. "The Children's Corner will include guest author readings,
a theatre and interactive workshops."
Recognising talent
There will also be an extensive cultural programme that will showcase renowned authors from a variety of backgrounds and a book signing corner for international guest authors – including Raja Alsanea, the author of the acclaimed Girls of Riyadh.
No book fair is complete without the mention of a noteworthy literary award, and ADIBF is no exception. There will be an International Young Publishing Entrepreneur Award targeted at recognising young people entering the industry, in addition to The International Prize for Arabic Fiction. "Both the Shaikh Zayed Book Awards and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction – a collaboration between the Emirates Foundation and the UK-based Booker Prize organisation – will be represented at ADIBF, as will the shortlist for the Hay festival," adds Kaiser. With so much on offer at ADIBF 2009, it would
seem Kitab has come a long way in achieving its initial aim.
