Arabia at the London Book Fair 2018

Tulips under a male Date Palm, just off Kensington High Street in London,

Date Palm - London
Date Palm – London

set the tone for a mix of Arabia and Britain on a visit to

Olympia London Book Fair 2018
London Book Fair Olympia 2018

the London Book Fair in Olympia in Kensington.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation – London Book Fair
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation – London Book Fair

A surprising number of exhibitors from Arabia had taken stalls at this exhibition. I dropped in on a talk hosted by Omar Al Busaidy for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation from Dubai. He was discussing publication and authorship by young people with Hazza Al Mansoori , Maryam Al Zarooni and Eman Al Yousef, each of whom have books in print (some English some Arabic).

Sharjah Book Authority – London Book Fair
Sharjah Book Authority – London Book Fair

The trailblazer in Emirati publishing at government level is Sharjah Book Authority, and they had a chic stand along with platefuls of delicious dates and books by Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi.

Emirates Publishers Association – London Book Fair
Emirates Publishers Association – London Book Fair

The Emirates Publishers Association was yet another from the UAE , a bit surprising that each of these occupied separate small stands rather than co-operating to take up a major location.

Hamad bin Khalifa University Press – London Book Fair
Hamad bin Khalifa University Press – London Book Fair

The final Arabian stand was Hamad bin Khalifa University Press, from Doha Qatar, which were promoting their large range of books .
Its great that the GCC states seem to be promoting their publications internationally, and hopefully make inroads into the UK reading market. Read about my London Book Fair visit – Part 1

Author: Tony Walsh

Book author including the current Bradt guide to Oman