For more information here below are a number of websites worth visiting.
The Guardian
"Despite the many obstacles it faces - censorship, a lack of translations, exile - Arabic literature has never been more vital." Saturday April 12, 2008. The Gardian
The British Council
International Young Publishing Entrepreneur (IYPE) Award
The International Young Publishing Entrepreneur (IYPE) award is a collaboration between the British Council and The London Book Fair. It was launched in 2004 to celebrate the entrepreneurial and leadership ability of a young person (aged between 25 and 35), working in the publishing sector in their own country. At The London Book Fair 2008, the British Council’s International Young Publishing Entrepreneur (IYPE) award will be presented for the fifth time. Of the nine finalists taking part in the award, five are from the Market Focus countries of the Arab World:
• Egypt – Karim Elias. Elias Publishing House, Cairo. Publishing, Children’s, Fiction (poetry)
• Lebanon – Nadine Touma. Dar Onboz, Beirut. Publishing, Children’s
• Saudi Arabia – Thuraya Batterjee. Kadi & Ramadi Publishing House, Jeddah. Publishing, Children’s
• UAE – Mansoor Abulhoul. Jerboa Books, Dubai. Publishing, Children’s
• Yemen – Nashwan A. Al-Maghafi. Yemen Bookshop, Sana’a. Distribution/retailing
The London Book Fair
The Arab World (defined as the 20 countries and 2 states that have Arabic as their registered official language) will be the 5th Market Focus at the 2008 London Book Fair. The 2008 Market Focus programme will aim to strengthen cultural relations with the Arab World, educate the global publishing industry about Arab literature and allow the Arab publishers to promote their books and literature to all parts of the world via the fair. A three day cultural programme celebrating the strength and diversity of Arabic literature will be run by The London Book Fair and the British Council working in partnership as part of the Market Focus 2008. It will consist of a series of talks, discussions, debates and workshops aimed at encouraging collaboration between UK and Arab publishers and translators. Current trends in contemporary Arabic literature will be introduced to a UK audience through a showcase of some of the best writers and writing from the Arabic world.
The Arabic Book Fair will take place on Sunday 13th April 2008 at the Royal College of Arts
It is organised by Fe Britannia in association with The London Book Fair and Kalimat.
For the first time in the UK one venue will provide a wide selection of Arabic and Arabic/bilingual books from across the Middle East and Europe - many of which are not normally available in the UK. Covering the whole spectrum of ages, from Pre-school to teenage readers, the Arabic Book Fair aims to cater for the 11,000+ known Arabic speakers in Inner London schools.
Visit the Arabic Book Fair website for more information