1001 Titles discusses ways to support Emirati literature

Organising literary events, exhibitions and book fairs within and outside the UAE will increase the presence of Emirati books in the region, suggested an expert panel.
A discussion organised by the '1001 Titles' initiative launched by Sharjah-based Knowledge without Borders (KwB) was attended by leading authors and publishers.
As part of the Year of Reading campaign, 1001 Titles initiative seeks to release 1001 Emirati books in 2016-17.
The session addressed ways of supporting Arab literature industry, the collaboration and coordination to organise events and workshops that support the publishing industry and enable publishers to create distinctive titles.
"Over recent years, the UAE has launched an array of initiatives and projects that support reading. Literature is becoming an increasingly important part of life which helps to develop the people of the nation and adds to the progress of the community. Following the visionary directives of the leadership to make 2016 the Year of Reading in the UAE, there is even more emphasis on this vital source of education, entertainment and enlightenment," said Majd Al Shehhi, manager of 1001 Titles.
"This is achieved thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of Shaikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Head of KwB's Organising Committee, who has encouraged the love of books and reading to all family members. The Emirate of Sharjah is committed to these values and we are proud to say 1001 Titles is a significant contributor," she added.
The session addressed a number of themes on the factors that will attract new authors and publishers to the initiative, with a special focus on participants' evaluations and expectations of this experience.
The participants proposed a number of suggestions to increase the number of Emirati titles in the Arabic cultural sphere, including organising more literary events at cultural forums across the UAE. The attendees also suggested holding a collective book-signing event in which the initiative's key authors would be seen. The participants asked to forge strategic partnerships with the stakeholders to support, develop and facilitate the distribution of books to the wider public.
Participants praised the key role '1001 Titles' has been playing to guide and support their efforts in getting published. They also highlighted that the initiative had broadened their scope of publications in as it has provided them the opportunity to focus on diverse genres like sports and tourism.
Majd Al Shehhi urged the participants to use 1001 Titles initiative as a stepping stone, to garner all the support they need to get published and marketed at the literary events, book fairs and cultural carnivals, locally and internationally.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com