The UAE has hosted Egyptian born French world renowned writer and journalist Alain Gresh – former editor in chief of the French newspaper “Le Monde Diplomatique” – for the last 3 days from the 13th to15th of January 2007 - , on an invitation from both French Alliances in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Culture & Co the French bookstore of the UAE.
After thanking both French Alliances for their initiative and Culture & Co for hosting the press gathering, Gresh said” Being myself from an Arab origin living in Europe, I find it mandatory to narrow the gap between the western and eastern cultures and shed the light on the real values of the Arab culture – and Dubai stands today as a perfect example of a worldwide melting pot of civilizations and culture living together – and is a worldwide destination for business, tourism and of course culture.”
Gresh added” Today, in France as in other Western countries, the simple mention of Islam can cause a debate, at least a concern, and even sometimes an unconscious fear. Religious differences have replaced the social differences in the public speech, and that there lies the real threat. It is thus our duty as intellectuals to rectify this by enhancing factual and positive attitude of the Arab world in general towards the west. My visit and the conferences I have given in Abu Dhabi and Dubai fall under that rationale.”
Renata Sader, owner of French bookstore hosting the author press conference said “Culture & Co is today the only French bookstore in the GCC, and thanks to our privileged relationship with the French Alliances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it gives us great pleasure to host Mr. Gresh who is considered to be one of the most active cultural ambassadors of the Arab culture in the west, exactly as we are – in return – promoting the French culture and values in this part of the world. It is not only complementary but also closely interactive. It was thus natural for our bookstore to hold this press gathering with all the different media in the UAE.”
Sader added “French speaking readers can find Gresh new book – as well as all his previously released books – at our bookstore along with an array of educational and recreational books to fit all tastes and ages. This event with Mr. Gresh ushers a series of activities to come during the current year in association of course with our partners - Alliance Française in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”
Alain Gresh has also been recently behind the launch of the Arabic editions of “Le monde diplomatique” in Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
“The UAE will hopefully be next. Part of my trip was to initiate contacts with interested partners, following the success of the Arabic edition of “Le monde diplomatique” in other GCC countries” He concluded.
Alain Gresh is the former editor of Le Monde diplomatique and a specialist on the Middle East.
He was born in Cairo in 1948 and moved to Paris in his teens where he completed his education (Master’s in mathematics at the Université Paris VII in 1971, Diploma of Arabic at the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales in 1977, and a PhD on the Palestine Liberation Organisation at the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales in 1983).
He is a member of the administrative council of the Institute of Arab World (IMA) and president of the Association of French journalists specialised on the Maghreb and the Middle East (AJMO).
Alain Gresh holds since July 23 a blog devoted to the Middle East, area in which he specializes.
Culture & Co – is the first French bookstore in the UAE, and the only French bookstore in the GCC. Opened in Dubai in April 2006 by Ms Renata Sader, it caters for the cultural and educational needs of all the French speaking communities in the UAE. It’s aim is to promote the French culture in the region and offers an array of various books and novels for all tastes and ages – including educational multimedia material - , as well as educational material for schools and cultural centers in the GCC.
