SIBF Translation Grant Fund receives record number of applications from publishers

SHARJAH, 11th March, 2015 (WAM) -- The Translation Grant Fund of the Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, has announced that it received applications from 84 publishers to fund the translation of 630 books in 2014, a significant rise on previous years.

Among these publishers, 36 were from the Arab world with applications to translate 105 books from Arabic into other languages.

Some of the books looking for funding for translation included winners of prestigious international awards, high-level literary works, and books on history, politics, economy, science, and education, in addition to leading children's books that will appeal to young readers in the Arab world.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the SBA, said, "The year 2014 saw a big rise in the number of books submitted by publishers to obtain SIBF's translation grants. We also witnessed an impressive development in the quality of publications and books nominated to be awarded the grant, thereby affirming the keen interest showed by Arab and foreign publishers to benefit from the grant in providing readers with the best books and enriching intercultural understanding and sharing knowledge between people of the world." He added, "We are pleased with the growing demand for the grant, especially by publishers of books written in minority languages, which gives us a precious opportunity to preserve minority languages and introduce their literature and ideas to the world, while promoting networking, religious understanding and cross-cultural education." The SIBF Translation Grant received applications for translation of 233 books from English into other languages, 80 books from Turkish and 24 books from French into other languages. A total of 129 books were applied for by foreign publishers to be translated into Arabic. These include books in English, French, German, Italian, Turkish, Bosnian, and Hungarian, and many other languages, thereby reflecting foreign publishers' interest in giving Arab readers access to their books.

The Sharjah Government-supported Translation Grant Fund was launched by SIBF in line with the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, during the 30th edition of SIBF, to promote the translation movement in the Arab region and the entire world through cash grants awarded to publishers to help them translate their publications into other languages. The grant is valued at US$1,500 for children’s books and up to $4,000 for all other titles, helping publishers cover the translation costs of the book fully or partially.

SIBF awards annual grants to publishers participating in the Professional Programme, which runs annually prior to the SIBF in November. The grant is only available to books protected by the intellectual property protection law, with the exception of literary works subjected to public property, in order to protect publishers' rights and promote the sale of legal rights, a move in line with SIBF's commitment to international law.

Al Ameri said, "The translation of books helps enrich the Arab and global culture with new books in knowledge and science, and allows people across the world to understand each other's culture and common concerns, in order to further promote dialogue based on tolerance, love and acceptance. The translation of these books will contribute to the achievement of greater convergence between countries and enriches the exchange of knowledge and literature throughout the world."

WAM/Rasha/Majok