EPA pioneers Emirati publishing scene at London Book Fair

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Seeking to expand the visibility of Emirati creative content on the global stage and nurturing the development of the UAE publishing industry, the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) participated in London Book Fair took place from March 12–14, showcased leading Emirati publishing houses.

At this esteemed exhibition, the association’s pavilion hosted a delegation comprising representatives from five  local publishing houses: Kalimat Group, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, DreamWorks, Asfoura, and Dar Al Thaqafa Publishing.

Through this collaboration, the association provides these publishing houses with a valuable platform to broaden their marketing outreach, discover opportunities for selling and translating rights, and interact with industry experts to envision the future of publishing towards enriching the UAE’s publishing and translation landscape.

The association’s pavilion features a distinguished collection of the latest publications from creative minds in the UAE, encompassing literature, science, and knowledge.

The collection includes a diverse array of books and comic stories tailored for children and young adults, spanning genres including early education, suspense, adventure, and science fiction. Moreover, novels delving into history, arts, and biographies, as well as books focusing on self-development, language arts, social sciences, and travel, cater to readers’ varied tastes and interests in the British capital.

Rashid Alkous, Executive Director of EPA, emphasised the association’s dedication to the London Book Fair, stating: “This annual international exhibition offers Emirati publishers a platform for immersive experiences and direct engagement with specialists in the publishing field. It enables rights, sales, and distribution negotiations across diverse print, audio, visual, and digital channels, contributing significantly to realising their ambitions of making a distinctive mark on the global publishing industry.”

Alkous emphasised the association’s efforts to identify cooperation opportunities in copyright and translation services and support participating publishers throughout the exhibition, including facilitating match-making sessions and arranging meetings with international publishers interested in exploring the UAE market. As one of the world’s largest book markets, the book fair presents a significant opportunity for publishers to connect with over 25,000 global specialists.

The EPA’s participation underscores its dedication to supporting Emirati publishers and enhancing their presence in the global publishing market, in line with its broader efforts to bolster the creative economy in the United Arab Emirates and promote Emirati literature on a global scale.