ID :
485321
Wed, 03/21/2018 - 09:47
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Emirates Publishers Association highlights local publishing expertise at Paris Book Fair

PARIS, 20th March, 2018 (WAM) -- The Emirates Publishers Association, EPA, curated two discussion panels at the 38th Paris Book Fair as part of an array of activities organised in celebration of Sharjah’s selection as a Special Guest City in 2018, with the aim of promoting and highlighting the gems of Arab and Islamic culture. Titled "The Role of Publishing Associations," the first panel highlighted the expertise of the EPA as one of the pioneering entities in this sector in the Arab region and the role played by such entities in expanding the scope of publishers’ participation in literary and cultural forums at the regional and international levels. The panel comprised Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA, and Iman Ben Chaibah, CEO of Sail Publishing House – an EPA member. The second panel, "The Key Features of Publishing Industry in UAE," focused on the unique characteristics of the Emirati publishing landscape, the pivotal role this vibrant sector plays in stimulating other cultural sectors and in addressing the points of view of publishers and authors. The panel featured Nooh Al Hammadi, Board member of the EPA and Founder of Dar Zajel for Publishing and Distribution, and Talal Salim, Founder of Dar Jumeirah for Publishing and Distribution. "The UAE and Sharjah are reaping the benefits of the seeds H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, had sown four decades ago. In the 70s, he launched Sharjah’s cultural project, through which the cultural and intellectual fabric of our community is being nurtured and protected still. His efforts have brought the appreciation of ancient and modern Arab and Islamic cultures to the forefront. The selection of Sharjah as a special guest city at the Paris Book Fair bears testimony to the success of this enlightening project and the success of its objectives. "EPA’s participation at the fair helped us share with the western world our goals and strategies to support the local and regional publishing industry, our dedication to creating an environment that stimulates creativity and professional development, and how doing so has contributed to elevating the larger literary product of the UAE. We met authors and publishers from around the world and explored ways of future collaborations, in a bid to enhance our efforts to increase the competitiveness of the local publishing industry," Al Kous added. In the first panel, Al Kous stressed that a publishing association plays a crucial role in elevating the realities of the sector at both local and international levels. He explored organisational challenges that face Arabic publishing forums in countries that do not have publishing associations, as well as the need for establishing a symbiotic relationship between these associations and publishers for the realisation of objectives. In the second panel, Nooh Al Hammadi and Talal Salim underscored the development of the publishing sector in the UAE, highlighting their successes in regional and international arenas. They also addressed key characteristics of the Emirati publishing sector, its biggest strengths, and shared some significant reading projects and cultural initiatives the UAE has started to support the publishing sector in the UAE. Al Hammadi pointed out that the Emirati publishing sector has unique characteristics, underlining that EPA predictions indicate that the UAE is qualified to become a regional and global publishing centre, thanks to its strategic advantages such as accessibility, a creative and incubating environment, and a prospering cultural sphere.

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