Regional and international publishers and authors converged on the eve of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair for provocative discussions on the challenges facing the Arabic publishing industry.
Organised by the Arabic Language Centre and held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Sunday, the first International Congress of Arabic Publishing featured panel discussions exploring the innovative ways in which to produce engaging Arabic content for a digitally connected world.
The conference was also one of the first major cultural events to be held in Abu Dhabi after the death of former UAE president Sheikh Khalifa on May 13.
Ali bin Tamim, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, paid tribute to the late leader in his opening address.
“His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, may God rest his soul, wanted to establish Abu Dhabi as an educational and intellectual hub,” he said.
“We remember his words when he said that nations would not grow with only hope, but with achievement and work.”
Bin Tamim described the congress as an example of the Abu Dhabi government’s ongoing dedication and investment in the cultural and creative industries.
"We have invested Dh30 billion dirhams as part of this strategy to support the cultural and creative sector," he said.
"Now, we are looking to empower talents from across the globe and take part in the creation of innovative content such as e-games, movies and publishing in the Arabic language."
The kinds of content needed and the challenges in producing them formed the crux of the conversations during the conference.
Here are four takeaways from the inaugural International Congress of Arabic Publishing.
1. The industry must get up to speed with new trends
International Publishers Association president Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said Arabic publishers have legitimate concerns when it comes to the rise of digital piracy, yet that shouldn’t inhibit them from embracing the opportunity presented by online formats.
She described the severe disruption caused by the pandemic as an opportunity for regional publishers to upgrade their processes to become more resilient and digitally oriented.
“I have emphasised since the beginning of the pandemic that the unprecedented crisis ... is a golden opportunity for all publishers around the world to keep pace with change and revised business models,” she said.
“It is also time to abandon that old-school mentality and give the opportunity to young and diverse talents to make decisions which will support more innovation.”
2. Arabic audiobooks are an opportunity
One emerging format receiving a huge boost from the pandemic is Arabic audiobooks, according to Stefanie Lamprinidi, regional content expansion manager for the Swedish audiobook and ebook subscription service Storytel.
The service is home to more than 700,000 titles in more than 30 languages, and now, Lamprindi is looking to collaborate with more publishers to produce more Arabic-language books.
"We have found that over 90 per cent of consumption in each of our markets are titles in the local language, which is why we invest so much in building these catalogues and working with local publishers,” she said with regard to the platform, which has more than two million subscribers.
"There is also a need for education of the public in the Mena region about audiobooks and to show they can be easily incorporated into your life from things like hearing it in your car when you are stuck in traffic or cooking or as something to do with your kids when you don't want them to spend time looking at the computer screen."
Storytel first ventured into the Arabic digital book market by launching in Dubai in 2018, followed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia in 2021.
"The trends here in the region are more towards non-fiction and personal development, which is quite common in newer markets," she said.
"We tend to see earlier adopters use these genres as an entryway towards audiobooks and as the markets mature, they tend to shift towards fiction."
That said, even audiobook companies need to be aware of the scourge of piracy.
As Storytel is a subscription-based company, Lamprindi said it is following the Spotify model in creating a value-for-money experience.
"Pirated audiobooks offer a really terrible listening experience," she said.
"So, for example, like what Spotify did, we want to create a great user-app experience where all these amazingly produced stories are at your fingertips."
3. The 'vicious cycle' in Arabic translations
Getting Arabic books translated for print and audiobooks is only half the challenge; the other lies in choosing engrossing titles, according to Persa Koumoutsi.
The translator and director of the Centre of Greek and Arabic Literature and Culture in Athens said too many Arabic novels are chosen for translation for purely commercial reasons.
“This is due to a number of things, the first of which was the global financial crisis which affected the lives of many translators and their visibility,” she said.
"So international publishers began to not listen to translators anymore and started referring to literary agents, instead, because they thought the agents would know more about the commercial potential of a book.
“But this is not always so because of the speciality of the Arabic language and very few people know its nuances.
“So what happens is that agents only pick books that have high visibility and that won awards and they are very expensive to translate in terms of royalties.
“So fewer Arabic books get translated as a result and it becomes this vicious cycle.”
Koumoutsi urges publishers to refer to translators to unearth hidden literary gems from the Arab world.
“This is the best way because we are the source,” she said.
4. More collaboration is needed
The need for more conversation, co-ordination and collaboration was the key takeaway from the congress.
Ruediger Wischenbart, responsible for compiling "barometer" reports on the publishing industry in countries ranging from Spain to Brazil, said there is not enough data coming from Mena publishers to compile a regional report as yet.
"The Arabic publishing industry is very fragmented and there are challenges when it comes to distribution and they range from logistical to legal reasons," he said.
"There is also a real catalogue of titles available to refer to. So we need to share that information and build permanent structures to tackle the problems of distribution.”
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Abramovich London
A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.
A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.
Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.
Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
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Abu Dhabi race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
6pm: Liwa Oasis (PA) Group 2 | Dh300,000 | 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 (PA) Group 3 | Dh300,000 | 2,200m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
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6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
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Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
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Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
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