International festival leaders gathered to explore the growing role of literary festivals in the global publishing industry
Dubai, UAE: The UAE’s growing role in the international literary landscape was in focus at Frankfurt Book Fair this October, as leaders from some of the world’s foremost literary festivals came together to examine the contribution festivals make to publishing, readership and cultural exchange.
The panel discussion explored how literary festivals connect authors with readers, raise the profile of books and writers, reach new audiences and create opportunities for collaboration across the international publishing industry.
The panel was presented by the Global Association of Literary Festivals (GAoLF), the international network initiated by Isobel Abulhoul, Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Founder of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
Administered by the Emirates Literature Foundation, GAoLF has grown to represent more than 170 literary festivals worldwide, providing a platform for festivals to share knowledge and expertise, develop partnerships and strengthen connections across borders.
Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest international trade fair for books and publishing, bringing together publishers, agents, authors, booksellers and cultural organisations from around the world. It is a major marketplace for international rights and a meeting point for the ideas, relationships and collaborations that shape the global book industry.
Literary festivals have become an increasingly important part of this ecosystem. They bring authors face-to-face with readers, introduce audiences to writers they might never otherwise encounter and create memorable experiences around books, stories and ideas. They can also help publishers and booksellers build readership, generate book sales and give books a life far beyond their initial publication.
At a time when reading for pleasure is reported to be declining in many parts of the world, the Frankfurt discussion will consider how festivals can use their close relationship with audiences to encourage people to discover books and make reading part of their lives.
The conversation also explored the role festivals play in bringing new voices into the literary conversation, creating international connections that can lead to publishing and translation opportunities, and providing a public space in which social, cultural and political ideas can be discussed.
The international panel brought together:
● Isobel Abulhoul, Founder, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
● Julie Finch, CEO, Hay Festival Global
● Lavinia Frey, Festival Director, International Literature Festival Berlin (ILB)
● Nermin Mollaoğlu, Publisher and Founder, Kalem Literary Agency and Istanbul International Literature Festival (ITEF)
● Govind Deecee, Curator, Kerala Literature Festival and Commissioning Editor, DC Books
“Literary festivals are much more than celebrations of books,” said Isobel Abulhoul. “They create memorable connections between authors and readers, cultures and countries. In an increasingly divided world, they also provide a much-needed space for dialogue, discovery and an appreciation of different viewpoints.
“Through GAoLF, we are bringing festivals from around the world together to share knowledge, build partnerships and strengthen our collective voice. Festivals have an important part to play in the publishing ecosystem – helping writers find readers, helping readers discover books, and creating the human connections that keep literature alive.”
The Emirates Literature Foundation has been at the forefront of building stronger international connections between literary festivals. In 2020, it hosted the first global conference of literary festival directors in Dubai, bringing festival leaders together at a time when the sector was facing unprecedented disruption and laying the foundations for what became GAoLF.
Since then, the network has grown to more than 170 members across the world, creating opportunities for festivals of different sizes, languages and cultural traditions to exchange ideas, share best practice and develop international collaborations.
The Frankfurt discussion brought that global network into the heart of the international publishing industry, highlighting the increasingly important relationship between literary festivals, publishers, booksellers, writers and readers — and the UAE’s growing role as a meeting point for international literary and cultural exchange.
