At the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), Sara Sader represents a family publishing house with a history spanning over 160 years. Dar Sader Publishing House was founded by her great-great-grandfather in Beirut in 1863 and has been passed down through generations. Sara is the first woman in the family to lead this business.
For her, the responsibility extends beyond simply maintaining the operation of the publishing house; it lies in preserving literary heritage, especially the poetry and historical works that have shaped the Arab world, and ensuring these works reach young readers.
Sara notes that the publishing house, established in Beirut in the 19th century, is likely the oldest in the Arab world, specializing in books on poetry, heritage, and history. Currently, most of the featured works are poetry, as it holds significant importance in the Arab world, particularly today when people are increasingly drawn to poetry.
The family business has participated in SIBF since its inception, indicating long-standing ties with the UAE's literary community. The publisher showcases about 200 titles at the fair, with poetry forming the core of the collection. Many of these works possess centuries-old histories, some dating back nearly a thousand years, offering readers a glimpse into the literary traditions of the Arabian Peninsula.
Sader believes that the appeal of poetry may be linked to how people consume content today. She views the shorter, contemplative nature of poetry as an advantage rather than a limitation amid declining audience attention spans.
For Sader, publishing these works is also a way of preserving a tradition that was originally transmitted orally long before it was put into print. She emphasizes that in the past, poetry in the Arab world spread by word of mouth, and now its publication serves as a wonderful way to honor ancestors.
The publishing house operates a small printing press in Lebanon, although its primary activity remains publishing. It also collaborates with external printers depending on production needs and deadlines, mainly supplying books to bookstores. The business is primarily B2B, except during the book fair when it becomes B2C.
Despite relying on centuries-old literary traditions, Sader focuses on how books reach modern audiences. As the person managing the publisher's social media, she observes the demographics engaging with the content. She reports that about 70 percent of people interacting with the content are under 35, and 35 percent are under 25.
This data refutes concerns that the younger generation is turning away from literature. A significant portion of the publisher's online content is aimed at young readers, and the positive response offers hope for the future of books, literature, and poetry. Although online purchases are becoming a priority, Sader does not see this shift as a threat to the traditional book-buying experience, as online platforms and physical stores serve different functions.
