Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation Concludes Participation in 2019 Frankfurt International Book Fair

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) has concluded its participation in the 71st annual Frankfurt International Book Fair, where it was represented by its publishing arm Qindeel Printing, Publishing, and Distribution, held on October 16-20, 2019, in Frankfurt, Germany.

Qindeel’s agenda at the Fair was full of events, seminars, and book signing ceremonies, which sought to shed light on its new literary projects, in addition to showcasing some of the Foundation’s projects and initiatives globally.

MBRF’s CEO His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb said: “We are proud of our annual participation in a cultural event of the size and importance of the Frankfurt International Book Fair. The event offers us an opportunity to meet with partners and learn about best practices and experiences with producing knowledge. It also provides an ideal platform to highlight our Foundation’s flagship knowledge projects and their impact across the globe.”

“The most notable among these projects is the Global Knowledge Index and the Future of Knowledge Foresight Report, which we work on in strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),” H.E. added.

At the Book Fair, the Foundation sought to promote the Dubai International Programme for Writing and launch the Visiting Writers’ Workshop, which is part of the Programme’s writer exchange plan to collaborate with similar international bodies and host international writers in the UAE, where they will create pieces about Emirati culture in various languages.

Qindeel also held a meeting with the Arab Publishers’ Association to sell the rights to three of its books: ‘The Formation of Public Places’, ‘Images of Iraq 1912’, and ‘The Names of Public Places’. Furthermore, the publisher released a book titled ‘How to Become a Falconer’ in German and English, and another titled ‘Public Places’ in English.

During the panel discussion, MBRF showcased the findings of the Global Knowledge Index and the Future of Knowledge Foresight Report, in addition to shedding light on Arab experiences in the field of translation with translation workshops, organised by the Foundation through the Dubai International Programme for Writing.

On another note, author Hamda Faraj held a session to discuss her story ‘When the Earth gets Angry’, which was produced during the Writing for Children Workshop – also part of the Dubai International Programme for Writing. It is the first book to target children with a story about space in a simple language.

The Frankfurt International Book Fair is one of the most prominent events for books, media, and publishing. The 2018 edition brought more than 7,300 exhibitors, 286,000 visitors, and nearly 10,000 journalists. This year’s event introduced the latest additions in the publishing sectors, from children’s books and educational materials, to archaeological books, rights and licenses to design, digital services, and audio books.