Is Publishing a Kind of War ?

During this last Buchmesse in Frankfurt, the largest in the world, it was Arabic all over.

It was a choice that generated a lot of discussion, but the German Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schroeder, called it a wonderful initiative to host the Arabic countries.

This can lead to a change of view on these countries, as the current idea is rather negative.

Top security surrounded the event, with the wife of Egyptian President Moebarak and secretary-general of the Arab Liga, Amre Moessa as most prominent guests of honour.

Although this was a great chance for more dialogue between East and West, it should be noted that in none of the 22 invited countries is there freedom of   press; criticism can only come from outside countries.

Much Arabian literature has been written in exile, like Maroccan writer, Tahar Ben Jalloun, who fled his country 30 years ago to write his novels in French about Arabian controversial subjects, like sexuality, religion and politics.

Some meaningful Arabic literature is being published in the country itself.   An example is the work of Nobel Prize winner (1988) Nagieb Mahfoez, who wrote 30 novels, some of which were even on the wide screen. But he has paid a high price for his succes; he was on a death list of an islamic fundamentalismic group and was stabbed 10 years ago in fornt of his home in Cairo. Now, at the age of 92, he never leaves his house and is under constant police surveillance.

Of course the Arabic world can use support, there are few editions of new literature coming out, and in addition, the quality of paper and ink is very poor. This is quite the opposite to the printing of religious or propagandistic literature which excels in both quality and design.

Frankfurter Buchmesse Press Centre/ De Telegraaf 2004-10-08