Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT5101
2005-12-13 04:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
ENGAGING THOUSANDS - KUWAIT'S INTERNATIONAL BOOK
how-toVZCZCXRO2777 RR RUEHDE DE RUEHKU #5101/01 3470407 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 130407Z DEC 05 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2127 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005101
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
R, NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),ECA/A/S/A (MTHOMPSONJONES),
ECA/A/L (JCONNERLY),IIP/G/NEA, IIP/T, NEA/PI, NEA/P
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL OIIP XF KU
SUBJECT: ENGAGING THOUSANDS - KUWAIT'S INTERNATIONAL BOOK
FAIR
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005101
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
R, NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),ECA/A/S/A (MTHOMPSONJONES),
ECA/A/L (JCONNERLY),IIP/G/NEA, IIP/T, NEA/PI, NEA/P
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL OIIP XF KU
SUBJECT: ENGAGING THOUSANDS - KUWAIT'S INTERNATIONAL BOOK
FAIR
1. SUMMARY: The Embassy participated in Kuwait's 30th
International Book Fair, organized by the National Council
of Culture, Arts and Letters, from November 24 to December
2, 2005. Most of the tens of thousands of visitors were
conservative Muslims accompanied by family members. Public
Affairs staff and other Embassy Officers at the U.S. booth
engaged Kuwaiti visitors by promoting study in the U.S.,
explaining American society, and offering tips on learning
English. Media criticism of the fair, specifically
fingering the Information Ministry's banning of books,
purportedly led to fewer customers this year compared to in
2004, principally a lower turnout of liberals. The only
western mission represented, the U.S. booth sold nearly 600
books, exceeding the prior year's sales, and increased
public distribution of IIP materials. END SUMMARY
Small Footprint -- Great Presence
--------------
2. The Embassy's three-meter square booth featured
attractive displays of IIP books, brochures, InfoUSA CD-
ROMs, "Hi" magazine and copies of e-Journals "See You in
the U.S.A." and "College and University Education in the
United States." Arabic translations of American titles
from Regional Book Offices (RBOs) in Amman and Cairo
covered the walls. Officers and FSNs handed visitors
"Tsunami" brochures and Avian Flu fact sheets, or articles
from the Washington File, while discussing pertinent U.S.
policies. Embassy staff also distributed locally produced
bookmarks touting web sites for "Hi," Al Hurra, Radio Sawa,
and USInfo.state.gov, along with Study in the U.S.
brochures, and web resources cards. English Teaching Forum
magazine and other English teaching materials were also
fast movers. This year, the booth featured two attention-
grabbing six-foot tall banners underscoring the "Study in
the U.S." and "See You in the U.S." themes. AMIDEAST also
took part in the Embassy's booth, counseling students and
distributing hundreds of educational advising materials.
English and Arabic Best Sellers
--------------
3. The Embassy booth sold 588 books -- 111 books in
English and 477 Arabic titles. The top three best-selling
books in English were:
1-"Outline of American History"
2-"Arts in America"
3-"An Early American Reader"
The top-three selling Arabic books were:
1-"Outline of American History"
2-"Outline of American Government"
3-"Law 101 (U.S. Legal Systems)"
IIP's "Outline" series on Economics and American Literature
also were top sellers. Staff handed out 200 copies (100 in
English, 100 in Arabic) of "Muslim Life in America" and
"Portrait of the U.S.A.," which were extremely popular.
Winning over Target Audiences
--------------
4. Of the 30-40,000 visitors, hundreds were students from
government schools who attended via morning field trips.
While Radio Sawa played in the background, students perused
titles, collected bookmarks, and sought educational
counseling. Teachers bought copies of "Outline of American
History" for their classrooms. One teacher stated that
reading the book improved his idea of America and he wanted
to share that with his students. The fair proved to be the
ideal environment for Public Affairs staff and EmbOffs to
meet and potentially influence thousands of Kuwaitis.
Embassy-wide Participation
--------------
5. Political and Economics Officers, AMIDEAST personnel,
and the Senior English Language Fellow joined the Public
Affairs Section at the fair, engaging visitors on topics
ranging from English language study and visas to political
parties and university campus life in the U.S. A
conspicuously placed PowerPoint presentation on Public
Affairs and AMIDEAST programs ran on a loop during the
event, publicizing Department initiatives active in Kuwait.
In an environment heavily dominated by huge Persian and
Arabic Islamic publishing houses dispensing mounds of
religious and children's books, the humble U.S. booth was
the only western mission represented at the fair. The
British and Canadian embassies, which had been present in
KUWAIT 00005101 002 OF 002
2004, shied away from this year's exhibition.
Soft Opening
--------------
6. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah Al-Taweel
inaugurated Kuwait's 30th International Book Fair. In
2004, the ceremony featured the Minister of Information,
who delivered a comprehensive speech on the importance of
culture. In 2005, the Minister of Commerce and Industry
cut the ribbon with little fanfare, no speech, and a modest
photo up, suggesting a diminished profile for the fair.
"Hi" Magazine and Radio Sawa Outreach
--------------
7. Free copies of "Hi" were broadly distributed to
customers, many of whom were already fans. "It's my
favorite magazine" said a young Kuwaiti girl. However, one
woman, conservatively dressed in nikab [face covering],
visited the booth with her husband and sharply criticized
the fact that Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram graced the cover.
She screamed at staff, "You are taking people away from
their religion!" The majority of visitors, however, were
delighted to receive copies of "Hi," reporting that the
Nancy Ajram issue was their favorite. Throughout the fair,
the U.S. booth greeted visitors with the music of Radio
Sawa that played in the background to positive reviews.
Media Objects to Banned Books
--------------
8. The book fair drew intense criticism from the Kuwaiti
press corps. Critics complained that book fairs in most
other countries improve year over year, but this was not
the case in Kuwait. Detractors added that each year
Kuwaiti authorities ban more books in deference to
conservative Islamist pressures. A cartoon in widely read
Al-Watan Arabic daily, made fun of the draft press law
currently under consideration, stating, "Now, the Ministry
of Information will have more free time to ban children's
book from the book fair." [Note: Children's books are
highly valued and sought after at the fair. The Embassy
has no data corroborating an increase in the banning of
books other than the fact that two books from our
collection were barred, as described below.]
Two U.S. Titles Banned
--------------
9. Two RBO Cairo selections were excluded: "Scuds or
Butter? The Political Economy of Arms Control in the
Middle East" by Yahya Sadowsky, and "Point of No Return:
The Deadly Struggle for Middle East Peace" by Geoffrey Kemp
and Jeremy Pressman. Presumably, the Ministry of
Information censored them due to content about Israel.
Press Coverage
--------------
10. The Embassy's booth was the only operation that
received significant press coverage in Kuwait Times
(11/23/05, English, p. 3, 1/4 page, 1 photo, circ. 35,000)
as a result of the opening ceremony. The photograph showed
the Charg d'Affaires presenting a book during the grand
opening to the Director General of the National Council,
the Kuwaiti entity that organized the fair.
*********************************************
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
You can also access the site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LEBARON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
R, NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),ECA/A/S/A (MTHOMPSONJONES),
ECA/A/L (JCONNERLY),IIP/G/NEA, IIP/T, NEA/PI, NEA/P
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL OIIP XF KU
SUBJECT: ENGAGING THOUSANDS - KUWAIT'S INTERNATIONAL BOOK
FAIR
1. SUMMARY: The Embassy participated in Kuwait's 30th
International Book Fair, organized by the National Council
of Culture, Arts and Letters, from November 24 to December
2, 2005. Most of the tens of thousands of visitors were
conservative Muslims accompanied by family members. Public
Affairs staff and other Embassy Officers at the U.S. booth
engaged Kuwaiti visitors by promoting study in the U.S.,
explaining American society, and offering tips on learning
English. Media criticism of the fair, specifically
fingering the Information Ministry's banning of books,
purportedly led to fewer customers this year compared to in
2004, principally a lower turnout of liberals. The only
western mission represented, the U.S. booth sold nearly 600
books, exceeding the prior year's sales, and increased
public distribution of IIP materials. END SUMMARY
Small Footprint -- Great Presence
--------------
2. The Embassy's three-meter square booth featured
attractive displays of IIP books, brochures, InfoUSA CD-
ROMs, "Hi" magazine and copies of e-Journals "See You in
the U.S.A." and "College and University Education in the
United States." Arabic translations of American titles
from Regional Book Offices (RBOs) in Amman and Cairo
covered the walls. Officers and FSNs handed visitors
"Tsunami" brochures and Avian Flu fact sheets, or articles
from the Washington File, while discussing pertinent U.S.
policies. Embassy staff also distributed locally produced
bookmarks touting web sites for "Hi," Al Hurra, Radio Sawa,
and USInfo.state.gov, along with Study in the U.S.
brochures, and web resources cards. English Teaching Forum
magazine and other English teaching materials were also
fast movers. This year, the booth featured two attention-
grabbing six-foot tall banners underscoring the "Study in
the U.S." and "See You in the U.S." themes. AMIDEAST also
took part in the Embassy's booth, counseling students and
distributing hundreds of educational advising materials.
English and Arabic Best Sellers
--------------
3. The Embassy booth sold 588 books -- 111 books in
English and 477 Arabic titles. The top three best-selling
books in English were:
1-"Outline of American History"
2-"Arts in America"
3-"An Early American Reader"
The top-three selling Arabic books were:
1-"Outline of American History"
2-"Outline of American Government"
3-"Law 101 (U.S. Legal Systems)"
IIP's "Outline" series on Economics and American Literature
also were top sellers. Staff handed out 200 copies (100 in
English, 100 in Arabic) of "Muslim Life in America" and
"Portrait of the U.S.A.," which were extremely popular.
Winning over Target Audiences
--------------
4. Of the 30-40,000 visitors, hundreds were students from
government schools who attended via morning field trips.
While Radio Sawa played in the background, students perused
titles, collected bookmarks, and sought educational
counseling. Teachers bought copies of "Outline of American
History" for their classrooms. One teacher stated that
reading the book improved his idea of America and he wanted
to share that with his students. The fair proved to be the
ideal environment for Public Affairs staff and EmbOffs to
meet and potentially influence thousands of Kuwaitis.
Embassy-wide Participation
--------------
5. Political and Economics Officers, AMIDEAST personnel,
and the Senior English Language Fellow joined the Public
Affairs Section at the fair, engaging visitors on topics
ranging from English language study and visas to political
parties and university campus life in the U.S. A
conspicuously placed PowerPoint presentation on Public
Affairs and AMIDEAST programs ran on a loop during the
event, publicizing Department initiatives active in Kuwait.
In an environment heavily dominated by huge Persian and
Arabic Islamic publishing houses dispensing mounds of
religious and children's books, the humble U.S. booth was
the only western mission represented at the fair. The
British and Canadian embassies, which had been present in
KUWAIT 00005101 002 OF 002
2004, shied away from this year's exhibition.
Soft Opening
--------------
6. Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah Al-Taweel
inaugurated Kuwait's 30th International Book Fair. In
2004, the ceremony featured the Minister of Information,
who delivered a comprehensive speech on the importance of
culture. In 2005, the Minister of Commerce and Industry
cut the ribbon with little fanfare, no speech, and a modest
photo up, suggesting a diminished profile for the fair.
"Hi" Magazine and Radio Sawa Outreach
--------------
7. Free copies of "Hi" were broadly distributed to
customers, many of whom were already fans. "It's my
favorite magazine" said a young Kuwaiti girl. However, one
woman, conservatively dressed in nikab [face covering],
visited the booth with her husband and sharply criticized
the fact that Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram graced the cover.
She screamed at staff, "You are taking people away from
their religion!" The majority of visitors, however, were
delighted to receive copies of "Hi," reporting that the
Nancy Ajram issue was their favorite. Throughout the fair,
the U.S. booth greeted visitors with the music of Radio
Sawa that played in the background to positive reviews.
Media Objects to Banned Books
--------------
8. The book fair drew intense criticism from the Kuwaiti
press corps. Critics complained that book fairs in most
other countries improve year over year, but this was not
the case in Kuwait. Detractors added that each year
Kuwaiti authorities ban more books in deference to
conservative Islamist pressures. A cartoon in widely read
Al-Watan Arabic daily, made fun of the draft press law
currently under consideration, stating, "Now, the Ministry
of Information will have more free time to ban children's
book from the book fair." [Note: Children's books are
highly valued and sought after at the fair. The Embassy
has no data corroborating an increase in the banning of
books other than the fact that two books from our
collection were barred, as described below.]
Two U.S. Titles Banned
--------------
9. Two RBO Cairo selections were excluded: "Scuds or
Butter? The Political Economy of Arms Control in the
Middle East" by Yahya Sadowsky, and "Point of No Return:
The Deadly Struggle for Middle East Peace" by Geoffrey Kemp
and Jeremy Pressman. Presumably, the Ministry of
Information censored them due to content about Israel.
Press Coverage
--------------
10. The Embassy's booth was the only operation that
received significant press coverage in Kuwait Times
(11/23/05, English, p. 3, 1/4 page, 1 photo, circ. 35,000)
as a result of the opening ceremony. The photograph showed
the Charg d'Affaires presenting a book during the grand
opening to the Director General of the National Council,
the Kuwaiti entity that organized the fair.
*********************************************
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
You can also access the site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LEBARON