Frankfurt 2004, London 2008, BEA 2009 all three international events featured the ‘Arab world’ as a focus – not to mention the Turin 2009 fair, which a couple of years after turning into an international event had Egypt as a guest of honor. The least we can say is that the ‘Arab world’ is getting a lot of attention in the international publishing industry, after having been reported missing for years.

This year’s guest of honor of the Turin book fair was Egypt. At this occasion, and in light of Beirut World Book Capital 2009, several Italian houses publishing Arab authors had invited them.

Yasmina Jraissati, RAYA agency will be attending the BEA from may 28th through 31st.

RAYA, a Literary Agency for Arabic Writers
19/03/2009

It is common practice at any large international book fair to find booths taken by literary agencies. The practice was unseen in Abu Dhabi until this year, when Yasmina Jraissati took a space to promote her new literary agency RAYA [Booth 3G02], which works exclusively with Arabic-speaking authors.  Based in Paris, the agency has ten authors under contract and Jraissati is looking to make some of its first deals here at the book fair.
Jraissati founded the agency in 2005 and now has ten …

The Abu Dhabi Book Fair, organized by Kitab, a joint venture between ADACH and the Frankfurt Book Fair, has gathered exhibitors from across the Arab world this year. The presence of US, UK, German, Indian and French publishers should also be noted.
The fair coincided with both the Sheikh Zayed Award and the Arab Man Booker, or IPAF, won this year by Egyptian author Zaydan, for his novel ‘Belzebuth | Aazazil’.

14th Muscat International Book Fair opens this evening under the theme Al Quds, Capital of Arab Culture for 2009. As many as 570 publishing houses from 25 countries, besides Oman and 30 Omani bookshops, will take part in the fair that will run through till March 16 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.