ABU DHABI, The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has revealed the 302 books will benefit from more than AED2.3 million in grants through its “Spotlight on Rights” programme.
The announcement was made at this year’s Al Ain Book Fair (AABF), which ALC organised under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) from 21st to 30th September, at Zayed Central Library.
The latest grants follow those announced at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) in May, to publishing houses for 300 books, including print, audio and electronic versions.
“The continued increase in the number of grants offered reflects the commitment of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to support the publishing sector and assist in the recovery of the publishing industry, especially after the challenges caused by the pandemic,” said Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC.
The 2021 edition of “Spotlight on Rights” received 1,042 submissions for grants. The total support value reached AED2,359,727, distributed in three categories of books: AED1,679,920 for 138 printed books; AED230,000 for 41 audiobooks, and AED449,807 for 123 e-books. The values of the printed book grants range from AED9,000 for children’s books to AED15,000 for other categories. The grant value for converting a printed book into an e-book is AED3,700 to AED7,400, and the grant for recording an audiobook is AED5,500 to AED9,000.
“At the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, we believe in supporting the publishing sector with a comprehensive strategy that establishes necessary platforms, promotes engagement, and connects the publisher, the creative community and the audience,” said Mouza Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the ALC. “This strategy provides publishers with direct incentives and supports them with positive initiatives to help boost production and expedite the sector’s full recovery.”
Once a grant is approved, the publisher receives the first payment, equal to 60 percent of the total grant value. After that, the publisher receives the second payment, equivalent to 40 percent of the total value, when they submit the first translated book manuscript or a draft of the electronic or audible book. The last date to submit manuscripts or drafts is 1st December, 2021.
Since its launch in 2009, up to 2020, the “Spotlight on Rights” programme has supported 612 books with a total value of AED1,836,000. In 2020, the programme introduced audio and e-book grants to assist the publishing sector’s accelerated development worldwide.
Through the programme, the ALC aims to promote respect for intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the Arab world and encourage the exchange of IPRs among Arab and international publishing houses. It also strives to enrich Arabic content by supporting the publishing houses financially and professionally and promoting content translation from and into the Arabic language.
Source: Emirates News Agency
