Arab Book Award, Publishers Association sign agreement to champion Arab books

The Arab Book Award and the Arab Publishers Association have reached a cooperation agreement to strengthen their partnership and promote Arab books both regionally and globally. Signed at a press conference in the Qatar Press Centre, the agreement encompasses areas such as publishing support, joint events and seminars, and the exchange of expertise between the two organizations.

Initiated by discussions between Arab Book Award executive director Dr Naji al-Sharif and the Arab Publishers Association chair, Dr Aisha Jassim al-Kuwari, the partnership leverages the strengths of both institutions. Dr al-Sharif highlighted that the Award is actively building a network of collaborations across the Arab world, with prior agreements forged with Oman’s Zubair Corporation and more collaborations in the pipeline.

The agreement aims to bolster the Arab publishing industry by providing publishing support for individual authors and institutions, jointly organizing cultural activities and seminars, and sharing knowledge. Dr al-Kuwari emphasized the significance of the agreement in fostering closer collaboration, noting that the Arab Publishers Association, established in 1962, brings valuable institutional experience to the partnership.

This partnership is poised to undertake joint initiatives, activities, and research aimed at elevating the profile of Arab books at cultural events in the region and beyond.

Addressing the challenges posed by the digital transformation in the publishing sector, Dr al-Kuwari emphasized the need to combat the "attention economy," where books must vie not only for readers but for attention amidst an abundance of content across various platforms. Despite the rise of digital formats like e-books and audiobooks, Dr al-Kuwari argued that print books retain value and should be viewed as complementary to these new media.

Dr Hanan al-Fayyad, media adviser for the Arab Book Award, underscored the organization's commitment to preserving Arab cultural identity by supporting original works, research centers, and publishing houses. She highlighted the importance of specialized awards for translation and children’s literature, emphasizing that the real challenge lies in sustaining reading habits in the face of rapidly changing content consumption patterns.

Ibrahim al-Bu-Hashim al-Sayed, director of the Qatar National Library and vice-president of the Arab Publishers Association, stressed the resilience of printed books despite digital competition. He stressed the crucial role libraries must play in engaging younger generations through initiatives like reading programs in schools. Meanwhile, QPC director Sadiq Mohammad al-Ammari highlighted the discrepancy between high book-fair sales and actual reading rates, cautioning that not all buyers finish the books they purchase.

The real challenge, al-Ammari argued, is to cultivate reading as a consistent cultural practice rather than just a fleeting activity, emphasizing the necessity of embedding reading into daily life.