Dubai, UAE: 26 October, 2008 - The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation today announced it will host the first Arab-German Literary Forum in Dubai, exploring innovative avenues for enhancing Arab-Western cultural dialogue through reinforcing UAE-German literary ties. 

The Foundation’s initiative follows the first state visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to Germany early this year that called for closer UAE-German cultural ties to boost a wider Arab-Western understanding.

To be held from 26-27 November, the forum will underscore the Foundation’s overarching objective to reinforce culture and knowledge exchange between the Arab region and the rest of the world.

The announcement of the first Arab-German Literary Forum was made by Ali Al-Shaali, Director of Publishing, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, following its successful participation at the 60^th Frankfurt Book Fair that drew to a close on 19 October.

Ali Al-Shaali said: “The forum in Dubai takes forward the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to bridge the cultural gap between the Arab region and rest of the world. It also reinforces Dubai’s leading role in fostering greater synergy between Arabs and the world community.

“In our pursuit of cultural excellence, it is crucially important to re-ignite thought exchange between prominent literary figures both in our region and the West. Facilitating such forums will encourage healthy debates on cultural issues of common interest, leading to better understanding of both sides.”

During its debut participation at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2008, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation hosted several important events, including an open forum for Arab publishers who called for the establishment of an apex organisation to coordinate distribution and overcome supply bottlenecks in the Arab world.

The Foundation also unveiled its plans to translate 50 selected books by leading Arab intellects and writers into several foreign languages, starting with the German language.  Visitors to the Foundation’s pavilion were briefed on its key programmes including ’Tarjem‘, which seeks to translate 1,000 best seller books into Arabic three years.

Marking a prominent presence at the world’s largest book fair, the Foundation drew the attention of several dignitaries including world renowned writer Paulo Coelho, Italian Deputy Culture Minister Francesco Giro and a number of leading Arab and international writers and publishers.

Acknowledging the Foundation’s commitment to enriching the Arab literary world, Coelho stressed on the importance of showcasing the Arab culture and its rich classical heritage and contemporary outlook to the world.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation activity-packed participation at Frankfurt Book Fair also included a series of mini-seminars and book review workshops.