Post by : Bianca Suleiman
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) is excited to announce the rollout of grants through its 2025 Spotlight on Rights programme. This initiative aims to bolster the global influence of Arabic literature and enhance the translation and publishing sector.
With the Spotlight on Rights programme, collaboration between Arab and international publishers is supported by financing translation projects in print, e-books, and audiobooks. This effort facilitates the dissemination of high-quality Arabic as well as international content to fresh audiences while upholding intellectual property rights.
Since its inception in 2009, the programme has significantly influenced the publishing landscape as part of the region's cultural advancement. Responding to worldwide publishing trends, it began offering grants for audiobooks and e-books in 2020. Applications are invited annually at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), cementing the centre’s role as a vital platform for rights transactions and knowledge exchange.
In the last five years, Spotlight on Rights has drawn in numerous publishers globally, enhancing the translation of Arabic and international literature, while aligning with the UAE's robust copyright protections.
The forthcoming 2025 edition has seen a marked increase in international engagement, with publishers from countries such as Mexico, Slovakia, Greece, Canada, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Malaysia participating for the first time. This growing interest underscores the programme’s expanding global footprint and its influence on Arabic translation.
His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, affirmed that the initiative represents the centre's dedication to nurturing the publishing and translation ecosystem, while expanding Arabic content into fresh markets. He emphasized that over the last 17 years, the programme has fortified rights exchanges, fostered translation, and supported a sustainable, innovation-focused publishing environment.
He also highlighted that the increasing involvement of international publishers indicates a strong trust in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair as a cultural dialogue centre, showcasing the centre’s commitment to producing high-quality content that meets global standards.
During ADIBF 2025, the programme received a total of 1,633 applications from 113 publishing houses spanning 29 countries, with 69 grants approved for 36 Arab and international publishers.
The granted amounts breakdown as follows:
AED 9,200 to AED 17,400 for printed translated works
AED 3,700 to AED 7,400 for e-books
AED 5,500 to AED 7,400 for audiobooks
Since its launch, the Spotlight on Rights programme has facilitated the publication of 1,390 translated works in categories such as children's literature, science, history, and social sciences. The programme continues to enhance the visibility of Arab culture while enriching Arabic libraries with quality translated content.
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