British Council expert researches strategy to promote Arab literature in the UK

During his four-day visit to the UAE, Peter Clark, an independent consultant on Middle East cultural issues working on behalf of the British Council, will meet the UAE Minister of Culture, HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais; playwright and board member of Dubai Cultural Council, Mr Omar Gubash; Mr Mohammed Al Murr Chairman of Dubai Cultural Council; Mr Ali Abu Al Reesh, Editor in Chief, Al Ittihad newspaper; and with Mr Naser Al Abboudi, General Secretary of the Union of UAE writers.

Mr Clark has already visited Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen as part of his tour of the region. Speaking at the start of the regional tour, Peter Clark said: "This fact-finding tour aims to develop the network of contacts between those in the creative and publishing world in the Middle East with those in the United Kingdom, for the benefit of writers and readers in both the Middle East and United Kingdom. I am delighted that the British Council is supporting this project to research ways to share the wealth of Arab literature on a wider stage."

The strategy will help lead to greater business opportunities for Arab translation and publishing houses, more opportunities to showcase the work of emerging young Arab writers, an improved understanding of Arab culture - as reflected through its contemporary literature and poetry - and closer links between the literary communities of the Middle East and United Kingdom.

Mr Clark will monitor and discuss trends in contemporary literature and poetry, investigate the scope for educational support to young writers and identify a range of potential collaborative projects with publishers, from workshops to awards and exchange programmes.

One immediate outcome of the fact-finding tour will be a closer network of links between Arab and UK publishers that leads to participation at the International London Book Fair 2008 (16-18 April 2008) - the global publishing community's leading spring forum for booksellers, publishers, librarians and book production services worldwide - where the Arab World will be the guest of honour.