Emirates Publishers Association Empowers Local Book Creators At Sharjah And Abu Dhabi Festivals

The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) is actively enhancing the UAE's publishing industry by participating in key cultural events like the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025. These events are crucial for empowering Emirati publishers and fostering creativity in literature and knowledge.

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the EPA, stated, "Our participation in these major events underscores our commitment to keeping pace with the transformations sweeping the publishing sector and to enabling Emirati publishers to build a sustainable, competitive presence regionally and internationally. We believe that knowledge exchange and cross-cultural partnerships are the keys to a resilient, ever-evolving publishing industry. Through these forums we aim to expand our members’ professional networks and elevate the standing of Emirati publishing on the global knowledge stage."

The Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, running from 23 April to 4 May 2025, features a unique pavilion by EPA. This space highlights services and initiatives supporting children's and young-adult publishing. The Association aims to engage directly with its members, readers, and potential publishers while promoting the benefits of joining the UAE's publishing community.

At this festival, EPA also organises creative activities aimed at instilling a love for reading among children. These efforts are designed to deepen their connection with books from an early age, fostering lifelong reading habits.

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair takes place from 26 April to 5 May 2025. Here, EPA is hosting panel discussions and specialised events focusing on Emirati publishing's future. Rashid Al Kous will participate in several sessions that encourage cultural dialogue and partnerships.

A notable event at this fair is a cultural session on 27 April honouring Ali Bin Hatem and Bassam Chebaro for their contributions to Arab publishing. The session underscores the fair's dedication to recognising influential figures in the industry.

Networking and Digital Creativity

The EPA is organising a Rights-and-Translation networking meeting with Central Asian publishers through collaboration with the Nomad Cultural Foundation. This initiative aims to create cross-border partnerships that expand markets and facilitate knowledge exchange.

Additionally, Amira Boukadra will lead a session titled "Digitising Creativity – The Dawn of a New Era." This session explores digital opportunities in publishing, reflecting EPA's commitment to innovation within the industry.

Support for Industry Professionals

The Ministry of Culture and Youth is hosting a panel discussing funding programmes available for writers, authors, researchers, and publishers across the UAE. Speakers will detail eligibility criteria and evaluation processes for these programmes.

This session will also explore ways to improve coordination among various funding schemes nationwide. The goal is to provide practical support for creatives while strengthening every aspect of the publishing ecosystem.

Through its involvement in these forums, EPA reaffirms its dedication to advancing UAE's publishing sector. By aligning with global trends, it ensures Emirati culture maintains an enduring international presence.

With inputs from WAM