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Publishers dismayed by DICF cancellation

22.12.09 | Catherine Neilan

Children’s publishers have said they are dismayed by the cancellation of the Dubai International Children's Fair, but will continue to look for opportunities in the region.

The inaugural event had been due to take place in February, but last week it was announced that funding had been pulled.

A statement on the fair's website said: "It is with the deepest regret that The Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation announces the indefinite postponement of the first session of the Dubai International Children’s Book Fair."

Marlene Johnson, managing director of Hachette Children's Books, said her team had been planning to attend the fair on an "exploratory"  basis.

"It is a real shame that it's been cancelled. We had some very good meetings in Frankfurt... where the fair was held up as something that would be important," she said. "We were told that the governments were focusing a lot on education, and we have a couple of strong lists in that area." 

Emma Hopkin, managing director of Macmillan Children's Books, was also planning to send a contingent. "It was a market-gathering exercise, to see how the books went down, and look for opportunities," she said.

"It’s a shame because it was an opportunity to find out some market data – we sell rights in the region, and we have a strong export sale in the region, so we will be looking at another opportunity to get out there, whether on our own or looking at some other regional fair."

• Catherine Neilan
• chidren's
• DICF
• dubai
• Hachette Children's Books
• Macmillan Children's Books