Publishers call for more support to face the repercussions of the pandemic

Book fairs challenge “Corona” with unconventional initiatives

The 30th edition of the Abu Dhabi Book Fair concluded yesterday.

Photography: Najeeb Mohamed

After the “Covid-19” pandemic changed many aspects of life around the world, and in various fields, the future of many cultural and artistic events is at stake, especially those that are based on large gatherings of people, given their conflict with the precautionary measures imposed by the pandemic on Social life, and no one knows how long it will last.

Despite the return of book fairs in the Arab world, the question about the future of these fairs in their traditional form is still strongly raised, especially in the creation of hybrid versions of them that combine real and virtual events, as in the 30th session of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which concluded its activities yesterday.

Publishers and exhibitors participating in "Abu Dhabi Book" stressed that the continuity of exhibitions in particular, and the publishing industry in general, is linked to offering joint initiatives and solutions that all parties involved in this industry cooperate to implement, stressing the need to provide government support in countries for the publishing industry so that it can face the repercussions of the pandemic. Corona, as well as the rapid changes in this sector.

They praised the initiative of the Abu Dhabi Book Fair this year to exempt all participating publishing houses from pavilion fees, and they also expressed their happiness with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to allocate six million dirhams to purchase a valuable set of books, references and materials. Educational materials from the exhibition, to be distributed to state school libraries.

No middle areas

Sameh Mohamed, from “Alam al-Kutub” from Egypt, said that “the threats facing the survival and continuity of the book industry and those in charge of it did not start with the (Corona) pandemic, they have existed for a while, in light of the rapid and successive technological developments in this field, and the strong competition that has become The paper book suffers from the e-book,” noting that the situation has become more difficult in light of the pandemic, both after it caused the closure of libraries and book stores for months, and the cancellation of most book fairs last year, which caused great economic losses for workers in the field of paper publishing. . Muhammad added that "what increased these losses is the rise in the price of the dollar against many Arab currencies, as many components and raw materials on which this industry depends are imported from abroad."

He explained that "publishing workers have provided whatever solutions they can offer to continue, such as raising the quality of their publications and diversifying them, and reducing prices as much as possible. Therefore, there is no longer a solution except for governments to support this sector until it overcomes its repression."

He continued, "Under these circumstances, there is no longer a middle area, we have no choice but to continue and bear the increasing losses and costs, or withdraw," praising the facilities and support provided by the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair to the publishers participating in this session, as well as what was provided by the Sharjah Fair in its last session.

Exhibitions remaining

For her part, Enas Suleiman, from Dar Al-Hiwar from Syria, considered that the traditional book fairs, despite the great difficulties they face, will not disappear, otherwise they would have disappeared in more advanced countries than the Arab world, such as Europe and Japan. Likewise, the paper book would not It disappears, despite all the difficulties and technical progress, there are still lovers of paper books, the texture of paper and the smell of ink, and there is an audience associated with traditional book fairs, waiting for them to wander between its corridors and read books before choosing what suits them, evidence that there is an audience keen to attend Abu Dhabi Book Fair, despite Precautionary measures and the requirement to conduct a “Covid-19” examination.

She pointed out that what is happening now is the emergence of modern forms and techniques alongside the traditional, without canceling one another, pointing out that “the pandemic affected various fields, and perhaps its impact on the publishing industry was greater, because many people in the Arab world see the book as a commodity that falls under luxury goods, and it can be excluded, especially with economic crises.”

many burdens

For his part, Khaled Daibes, from Dar Rawafed Cultural House from Beirut, said that “the continuation of book fairs has become mainly dependent on providing official and governmental support, and without this support, the publishing industry as a whole will stop.”

He praised the initiatives of the Abu Dhabi Book Fair to support publishers and relieve them of many financial burdens, during their participation in the 30th session of the fair, which concluded yesterday.

He considered that the precautionary requirements and measures imposed by the pandemic, despite their necessity, represent a financial cost to the publisher, and may affect the number of attendees at the exhibition, expressing his hope that the world will be able to get rid of the pandemic and its repercussions as soon as possible until life returns to normal.

integrated efforts

Enas Suleiman, from Dar Al-Hiwar from Syria, said that “the pandemic has imposed many difficulties facing the establishment of book fairs in Arab countries, which represent the only way to sell books at large rates, such as the logistical difficulties associated with shipping books from one country to another, and precautionary measures.” Which imposes a reduction in the number of visitors to the exhibition, and other measures that may distract a large segment from attending the exhibition.”

She stressed that "the continuity of book fairs represents a general effort in which all parties must participate, not only the effort of a publisher, government agency, reader or writer, but the effort of an integrated community supported by official authorities."

• A hybrid version of "Abu Dhabi Book" that combined real and virtual events.

• The situation of the publishing industry has become more difficult, in light of the pandemic, which closed several libraries.

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