- Title: Jordan fair aims to reignite love for print books in digital age
- Date: 3rd October 2016
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (OCTOBER 1, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING WHERE THE AMMAN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR IS HELD SIGN OUTSIDE BUILDING READING (Arabic): "THE 16TH AMMAN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR" VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BROWSING AT BOOK FAIR VARIOUS OF BOOKS ON DISPLAY BOOK COVER WITH PICTURE OF WOMAN'S EYES, TITLED (Arabic): "PICTURES OF JIHAD, FROM AL QAEDA TO ISIS" DIRECTOR OF THE AMMAN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR, FATHI AL BISS, SPEAKING TO PEOPLE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIRECTOR OF THE AMMAN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR, FATHI AL BISS, SAYING: "The exhibition is characterized by the enormous diversity of books displayed. It has excluded no one, but the general tone is that the books belong to serious publishing houses, they are serious, unique and diverse. We hope that every book a person could want, they will find it here." MEN BUYING BOOKS BOOKS ON DISPLAY BOOK TITLE READING (Arabic): "MUSLIMS IN THE MIDST OF TERRORISM" (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BOOK FAIR VISITOR, HAMZA MANSOUR, SAYING: "Books remain important despite the enormous development in technology. We are a nation of books and we agree with our poet, the great Abu Taib Al-Mutanabi when he said: 'The best companion of all is a book.' Nonetheless technology has overtaken books for two reasons. First of all technology is instant, and it brings you information as it happens. Secondly they are of low cost, books are now expensive in comparison." BOOK FAIR VISITOR, LUNA HASANI, LOOKING AT A BOOK BOOK ON DISPLAY HASANI SPEAKING TO VENDOR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BOOK FAIR VISITOR, LUNA HASANI, SAYING: "Novels are very important, the world needs some creativity and imagination. It is not good to only focus on books of dry topics such as those centred on philosophy and politics. Novels can also contain these elements, and they can be useful and important. But Arabic novels are unable to cover these aspects, they are weak and focus only on shallow social interactions and love. They are unable to reach the true identity of the Arab individual, he is currently lost." HASANI PURCHASING A BOOK VARIOUS OF BOOKS ON DISPLAY ON SHELVES VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING AT BOOK FAIR
- Embargoed: 18th October 2016 11:09
- Keywords: book fair Jordan author publisher novels technology paperback print
- Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
- City: AMMAN, JORDAN
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Books,Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA00152G7ZO5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: In an age when technology reigns supreme and online reading is the norm, a book fair in Jordan is shining a light on thousands of print materials in an effort to reignite interest in the traditional way of reading.
The 16th Amman International book fair, held in the Jordanian capital, offers shelf after shelf stacked with books from various parts of the Arab world.
The slogan of this year's exhibition is "We All Read", and the event boasts participation of more than 350 publishing houses from 15 Arab countries, including Morocco, Egypt, the Palestinian Territories and the UAE.
Organisers say the main goal of the exhibition is to regenerate people's interest in the printed word by providing a wide selection of books that cater to various tastes.
"The exhibition is characterized by the enormous diversity of books displayed. It has excluded no one, but the general tone is that the books belong to serious publishing houses, they are serious, unique and diverse. We hope that every book a person could want, they will find it here," said Fathi Al Biss, director of the annual book fair.
At the book fair, visitors can browse the collections on offer, flip through pages of books and seek advice and recommendations from the vendors.
One visitor was confident that books would always be a staple in the Arab household despite the widespread reliance on modern technology.
"Books remain important despite the enormous development in technology. We are a nation of books and we agree with our poet, the great Abu Taib Al-Mutanabi when he said: 'The best companion of all is a book.' Nonetheless technology has overtaken books for two reasons. First of all technology is instant, and it brings you information as it happens. Secondly they are of low cost, books are now expensive in comparison," said Hamza Mansour.
Many of the books feature subject matters focusing on the turmoil in the region, including the wars in Syria and Iraq. The term ISIS, which refers to the ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim group Islamic State, is common among the titles.
One book lover said she would like to see more novels on offer at the fair.
"Novels are very important, the world needs some creativity and imagination," said Luna Hassani.
"It is not good to only focus on books of dry topics such as those centred on philosophy and politics. Novels can also contain these elements, and they can be useful and important. But Arabic novels are unable to cover these aspects, they are weak and focus only on shallow social interactions and love. They are unable to reach the true identity of the Arab individual, he is currently lost," she continued to say.
This year's event is organised by the Jordanian Publishers Union and will be held until October 8th. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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