Abu Dhabi International Book Fair to fuel publishing industry growth and encourage reading

"Boosting business and getting more people into books are the dual goals of the 2009 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair," says Claudia Kaiser, General Manager of Kitab. "We are dedicated to raising the bar of industry professionalism by creating the Arab world's best networking platform for international and regional publishing communities, while creating new, exciting opportunities for the book loving public to engage with leading authors."

To reinforce Abu Dhabi as a publishing hub for the Arab world, a world-class line-up of acclaimed literary talent is visiting the emirate as part of the trade and consumer programme.

Event highlights include the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, the antiquarian book fair, a display of cooking books accompanied by a display of live cooking demonstration by world renowned chefs, a two-day education conference and 'Spotlight on Rights', which incorporates a business matchmaking scheme and subsidies for all licensing deals signed at the ADIBF.

Kaiser underscores the link between a healthy publishing industry and its potential to boost reading habits noting, "The Arab publishing world knows that growth and international recognition is linked to better translations, smarter distribution, copyright protection and fresh incentives for licensing, as well as much better consumer marketing to make more books available and attractive. Fundamentally, our goal is to get better books and e-books into the classroom to create a passion for literature among a new generation of readers," adds Kaiser.

According to Kitab, this Abu Dhabi International Fair will be the largest ever and is expected to exceed 2008's record attendance of 482 publishers from 42 countries. An early testament to that is the fact that the Fair is 100% booked out and has a waiting list of keen exhibitors 8 weeks prior to the show.

The presence of acclaimed authors including Henning Mankell, Amitav Ghosh and Rajaa Alsanea is expected to raise consumer interest and reaffirm Abu Dhabi's emergence as a leading destination for arts and culture.

Summarising the diversity of the consumer programme, Kaiser says, "Our visitor programme will inspire, engage and appeal to all senses and all ages. The only dust will be found in our antiquarian sector, where ancient texts are available on display and for sale. From the children's corner, to celebrity chefs and interactive performance art, we are mixing the unconventional with traditional book signings to create a new buzz around books."