Latest news with #ShathaNasser
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
SBA concludes its participation in Readmagine 2025 in Madrid
The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has concluded its participation in Readmagine 2025, one of Europe's leading platforms for innovation in the publishing sector. Held in Madrid and organised by the Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation (FGSR), the event marked Sharjah's debut as the first Arab city to participate, reaffirming the emirate's status as a regional and global centre for publishing development and international collaboration. During the international event, SBA participated in a session titled 'Empowering Emirati publishers through the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur),' featuring Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of strategic initiatives and global markets at SBA, alongside Shatha Nasser, founder of Kairos Publishing House and one of the winners in the fund's inaugural launch track. In the session, Iman Ben Chaibah reaffirmed Sharjah's commitment to shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the publishing industry in the UAE and the wider region. She introduced Onshur as a strategic initiative designed to empower publishers through three integrated tracks: launch, scale and disrupt. 'The fund was established to address a fundamental challenge: how to ensure the continued strength and growth of the publishing sector over the long term. It responds to this need by offering a well-rounded framework of training, financial backing and professional mentorship, equipping publishers to tackle industry demands and grow their businesses with assurance and skill.' She went on to credit the vision of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, for shaping the fund's comprehensive framework. 'Onshur offers a fully integrated support system that combines professional guidance, targeted training and access to a network of industry partners and specialists. It also provides practical resources such as trade licences, co-working spaces, affordable printing services and translation support. We were encouraged by the strong international interest in the Onshur model during the event, and we have already scheduled several follow-up meetings to explore potential areas of collaboration.' WAM
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah debuts at Readmagine 2025
During the international event, SBA participated in a session titled "Empowering Emirati publishers through the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur)", featuring Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of strategic initiatives and global markets at SBA, alongside Shatha Nasser, founder of Kairos Publishing House and one of the winners in the fund's inaugural launch track. Onshur draws global interest as a blueprint for sustainability In the session, Iman Ben Chaibah reaffirmed Sharjah's commitment to shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the publishing industry in the UAE and the wider region. She introduced Onshur as a strategic initiative designed to empower publishers through three integrated tracks: launch, scale and disrupt. 'The fund was established to address a fundamental challenge: how to ensure the continued strength and growth of the publishing sector over the long term. It responds to this need by offering a well-rounded framework of training, financial backing and professional mentorship, equipping publishers to tackle industry demands and grow their businesses with assurance and skill.' She went on to credit the vision of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, for shaping the fund's comprehensive framework. 'Onshur offers a fully integrated support system that combines professional guidance, targeted training and access to a network of industry partners and specialists. It also provides practical resources such as trade licences, co-working spaces, affordable printing services and translation support. We were encouraged by the strong international interest in the Onshur model during the event, and we have already scheduled several follow-up meetings to explore potential areas of collaboration.' Publishing with purpose For her part, Shatha Nasser shared her journey into publishing, explaining that a simple search for a Spanish novel to recommend to a young Arab reader highlighted a broader cultural gap. Many important literary works had yet to be translated into Arabic. She discovered that many significant literary works remained inaccessible in Arabic. This realisation became the driving force behind the launch of Kairos, a publishing initiative committed to translating classic literature from Spanish, Italian and Portuguese into Arabic, to broaden access to global literary heritage and enrich the region's cultural landscape. She went on to highlight the pivotal role that Onshur played in shaping her professional journey. 'The fund provided a comprehensive foundation of mentorship, expertise and industry connections that enabled my entry into the publishing sector. It offered practical knowledge across all stages of book production, from acquiring publishing rights to distribution. With the support of a grant, I was able to establish the publishing house and release titles. It was the true starting point for a locally rooted publishing house with an international outlook.' Sharjah's Onshur sparks global dialogue The session attracted one of the highest levels of engagement at Readmagine 2025, sparking in-depth discussions around the structure of the Onshur Fund and the potential for replicating its model in other markets. Participants praised the leadership of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and expressed their appreciation for this forward-thinking initiative, describing it as a compelling example of how to support publishers and promote long-term sustainability in the book industry. Many also voiced their hope that cultural institutions in other countries would consider adopting similar frameworks, recognising the fund's proven success in empowering publishers and fostering a dynamic, innovation-driven publishing environment.
Gulf Today
31-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
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.'
Mid East Info
28-03-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Emirates Publishers Association Sponsors Young Emirati Publishers at London and Bologna Book Fairs - Middle East Business News and Information
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. EPA is participating in the Bologna Children's Book Fair, taking place from 31 March to 3 April 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 13 March 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. His Excellency Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, 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.' He added: 'Through these initiatives, we aim to cultivate an environment that encourages young talent to innovate and develop high-quality publishing projects with international reach. Expanding the presence of Arabic books in global markets remains a priority, and such engagements present valuable opportunities for strategic partnerships that foster translation and cross-cultural exchange. These efforts ultimately amplify the voices of Emirati and Arab creatives on the global stage, reflecting the UAE's vision of establishing itself as a key regional and international hub for publishing.' For her part, Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at the Sharjah Book Authority, stated: 'The selected winners of the Onshur programme have demonstrated great potential to grow as publishers, benefitting from the knowledge and supportive resources provided to them. Offering them the opportunity to attend international book fairs will accelerate their professional development and enhance their ability to produce distinguished books that contribute to the publishing scene in the UAE. This initiative is part of the shared vision of the Emirates Publishers Association and the Sharjah Book Authority through the Onshur Fund, led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority and Founder and Honorary President of the Emirates Publishers Association. The participating publishers expressed their deep appreciation for EPA's continuous support, extending their sincere gratitude to the association for this valuable opportunity. They emphasised that attending such prestigious book fairs is a pivotal step in their professional journeys, empowering them to explore international best practices, establish connections with industry leaders, and leverage expertise that will contribute to the advancement of their publishing projects. They also stressed on the role of these experiences in strengthening the UAE's publishing sector and enhancing its global competitiveness.
Gulf Today
13-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
EPA features seven Emirati publishers at London book fair
The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) continues to broaden its global presence with a prominent participation at the London Book Fair, one of the world's leading platforms for rights negotiation, content sales, and distribution across various formats. This year, the EPA delegation features a distinguished group of seven Emirati publishers, including two Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) graduates. This participation aligns with the EPA's broader efforts to empower Emirati publishers and position the UAE as a thriving regional and global hub for the book and publishing industry. The fair offers a unique opportunity for Emirati publishers to forge new partnerships with international counterparts, exchange rights, secure translation agreements, and explore the latest trends shaping global publishing. Among the participating publishers is Kalimat Group, which began its publishing journey in 2007, focusing on children's literature. Since then, Kalimat has expanded its offerings to include five specialised imprints covering various age groups and literary genres. 'Dar AlFikr AlJadeed,' a publishing house specialising in training manuals and resources for human capital development, strongly emphasises educational and managerial aspects to provide solutions for business and management professionals. Also joining the delegation is 'Sidra Publishing and Distribution,' which focuses on translating global literary works into Arabic, spanning various fields including literature, philosophy, and the arts, thereby enriching Arabic cultural content. 'Thaqafa Publishing and Distribution,' established in 2008, has committed itself to enriching the Arab cultural scene by offering high-quality publications catering to diverse interests. Meanwhile, 'Ugarit Publishing' specialises in early childhood education, providing advanced learning programmes designed to foster critical thinking and creativity. Furthermore, the EPA pavilion at the fair also welcomes the participation of the winners of the launch track of the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) Initiative: Shatha Nasser of Kairos Publishing, dedicated to translating classic literary masterpieces into Arabic, and Maryam Thani AlFalasi of Ghaim Publishing, which pioneers the translation of literature from Asian languages, thereby enriching Arabic literature with diverse and inspiring narratives. Commenting on this participation, Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the EPA, said, 'The UAE's presence at international events such as the London Book Fair reflects the remarkable growth of the country's publishing sector. We firmly believe that building global relationships with publishers worldwide opens up new avenues for collaboration and fosters knowledge and cultural exchange between nations.' He added, 'Empowering young publishers, particularly Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) graduates, underscores our dedication to nurturing emerging talent and creating a sustainable environment that supports the growth of the publishing industry both locally and globally.' The EPA's participation in the London Book Fair reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting local publishers, opening new horizons for them to seize global opportunities, and contributing to the advancement of the publishing sector while strengthening its presence in international markets. In October 2024, the EPA strengthened cooperation between local publishing houses and their global counterparts, in line with its commitment to supporting and developing the publishing industry in the UAE. The association participated in the 76th Frankfurt International Book Fair, one of the largest and most prestigious international commercial publishing events. The association's stand at the fair hosted a delegation of Emirati publishers, including Fatma Al Khatib, Founder of Sidra Publishing Services and Member of the Association Board, Abdul Wahed Alwani, Writer and Editor-in-Chief of Dar Al Muheet Publishing House, and representatives of Kalimat Group, along with Aldhabi Almheiri, Founder of Rainbow Chimney Library and Publishing House. Aldhabi is the youngest Emirati entrepreneur and publisher, holding the Guinness World Record for the youngest publisher in the world of bilingual books.
