After Frankfurt

By Naguib Mahfouz

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Now that the Frankfurt book fair is over we should start thinking in terms of marketing Arab culture in Germany. The five-day fair should be seen as a prelude to further efforts. Arab and Islamic culture have been honorary guests in Germany, not just in Frankfurt. And until next year's guest -- Korea -- arrives, we should keep up the momentum. I heard that the Arab League Secretariat is planning cultural activities in Germany throughout the year, which is highly commendable.

I noticed that the media has given more coverage to those who disapproved of the Arab performance at the fair than those who approved of it. Meanwhile, the media failed to familiarise us with the views of German publishers, who are the driving force behind the fair. The Frankfurt book fair, mind you, is less about seminars and lectures than the Cairo book fair. Its main focus is on marketing and publishing rights. Several publishing deals, I am told, were made during the fair. If true, this would be a sure sign of the fair's success. Unfortunately, some intellectuals are more interested in discussing their own views than those of the publishers.

Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.