Kuwait Book Fair a prime promotion venue for publishers

The 36th Kuwait International Book Fair which is set for kickoff Wednesday is a prime opportunity for publishers to promote their latest publications and authors as well as a prime opportunity for the public to find the best and the latest of all genres all in one place.In addition to satisfying already avid readers, the fair sets off a hall each year for publications and media aimed at children and youngsters to encourage them to read and to provide their parents and caregivers with educational media and productive means to spend time and have fun, all age-appropriate.The fair is by now among the best organized in the Arab region and most popular. This time around, 518 publishers are offering their goods from 22 countries, including 13 Arab countries. This is an increase of 17 publishers from last year. The publishers include 467 private publishing houses, 44 state-owned institutions, and publication departments of seven Arab and international organizations.Publishers offering their own products directly came to 290 this year, with 228 others acting as agents. The publications on offer are 2009-2011 products, with an overall 10,517 titles listed in the fair index. This includes 8,895 Arabic titles, 409 titles in other languages, and 784 titles in the children media and publications category.The publications and media are offered in three halls; hall 5 is for local, GCC, and electronic and digital media products; hall 6 is for publishers from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, in addition to publications by state-owned institutions; hall 7 is for child-related products and activities.The organizers also offer a series of sideline events and activities including seminars, poetry readings, and art-related attractions. The guests of these event are local figures as well as personalities from other countries.Among the most important sideline events are activities aimed at encouraging and promoting reading in cooperation with bodies including the British Council and the Al-Jalees Kuwaiti non-profit initiative to promote reading and writing.The Al-Jalees team offers information and material related to setup and management of reading groups and clubs, aspects of enhancing capabilities in composition in different genres, and hosts a number of talents who are to interact with the visitors of the fair and discuss their experiences to encourage others to aspire to success as well.