EPA sponsors 4 young publishers at 2 book fairs

The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) continues to support and nurture the new generation of Emirati publishers, enabling them to represent the UAE at key international cultural forums and gain exposure to global best practices in the publishing industry.

As part of this commitment, EPA has sponsored four graduates from the launch track of the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) to participate in the London Book Fair and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, reinforcing its ongoing partnership with the programme to develop national expertise in the publishing sector.

This initiative provides young Emirati publishers with direct field experience from some of the world’s leading publishing houses, fostering their professional growth and expanding their industry networks. By engaging with prominent publishers and key players on a global scale, the young publishers gain invaluable insights that contribute to their career advancement, enriching the UAE’s cultural landscape.

The fair offers a unique opportunity for Emirati publishers to forge new partnerships with international counterparts. WAM

EPA is participating in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, taking place from March 31 to April 3, 2025, where it has sponsored the participation of Fatema AlHammadi - Sohub Publishing & Distribution, a publishing house specialising in educational books for children with autism and inspiring stories for people of determination, as well as Dalal Al Jabri - Hzaya Personalised Books, which focuses on interactive and personalised children’s literature.

Additionally, EPA took part in the 51st edition of the London Book Fair, which concluded on March 13, 2025, supporting the participation of Shatha Nasser - Kairos Publishing, dedicated to translating classical literary works into Arabic, and Maryam Thani AlFalasi - Ghaim Publishing, which specialises in translated literature from Asian languages and seeks to enrich Arabic literature with diverse and inspiring narratives.

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the EPA, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “At the Emirates Publishers Association, we firmly believe that integrating young publishers into major international events is a strategic investment towards the future of the UAE publishing industry. These participations provide publishers with valuable insights into the dynamics of the global publishing market, introducing them to the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of the industry. This facilitates knowledge-sharing and cultural collaborations with publishers and creatives from around the world, reinforcing the status of Emirati publishers as active contributors to the global cultural landscape.”