Dubai, 11 October 2026 – During its participation in the 2026 Frankfurt International Book Fair, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) launched a project to translate a collection of young adult literature books from Arabic into German. The project forms part of a workshop offered under the Dubai International Program for Writing (DIPW), which trains Arab talents in various forms of writing.
His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, stated that the initiative is part of the Foundation’s broader efforts to create new opportunities for young talents to strengthen their translation skills and disseminate contemporary knowledge among European audiences.
He added: “DIPW serves as a leading platform for empowering young talents. The books selected for translation were produced by DIPW graduates and highlight Dubai’s role as a platform for imagining the future through young adult literature, drawing inspiration from Emirati heritage and expressing stories that reflect the UAE’s aspirations for the future.”
Jamal bin Huwaireb further noted that the workshop is supervised by German orientalist Stefan Weidner. Through this initiative, selected books and encyclopedias published by MBRF will be translated into German, introducing German and European readers to the Foundation’s knowledge-based and creative works.
He also explained that the choice of German aligns with MBRF’s strategy to bring Emirati creative content to European readers and strengthen the presence of Arabic-language literature at one of the world’s largest book fairs. He reaffirmed that translation serves as a cultural bridge, conveying Emirati values and stories to a global audience.
The initiative also provides practical training for young translators, who will translate a selection of young adult stories produced by DIPW under the supervision of Arabic-German translation specialists. The project aims to prepare these works for publication and distribution across European markets.
