By now we've all heard that Beirut was chosen to be the world book capital for 2009. We thought we'd find out for you what this summer's hottest projects were and how it was all going, so we asked Ms Nayla Abi Karam, who's responsible for Beirut Worls book capital's communication a few questions.

How has Beirut World Book Capital been received by the public so far?
… with general cheerfulness. Having from the very start adopted a strategy of democratisation of culture, we managed to create a cultural dynamic on the national scale. Through an open, non elitist, and sometimes popular approach we made sure to involve all of the cultural actors of the country, with, at their head, the civil society and the various organisms and institutions concerned, amongst which were foreign embassies (about 20 embassies are involved in our manifestations). This enthusiasm grew as we created partnerships. I would like to remind everyone that we are still collecting candidatures for projects developed around the following themes: Books, book professionals, promoting reading and writing, encouraging youngsters to read.

What are the hottest projects for this summer?
They are numerous. Notably:
The launching of the great writer Ahlam Mostaghanmi’s new book « Nisyian.com » along with Jahida Wehbe’s C.D. The latter is performing for the occasion.
This year the Deir el Qamar summer festivals are centered on the theme of reading: “Moonlit reading”. A week’s festivity will be held to celebrate the city of Beirut, during which a public library is to be inaugurated. Children are encouraged to create their own books, discover new authors and meet a few of them. This project aims to encourage young people to discover the joys of reading. 10 000 books will be distributed and serve as the cores of new public libraries.
A travelling puppet show is performing in all major public libraries, the aim of which is to promote public libraries as cultural meeting places and performance venues. Three types of activities are on the program over a month’s time: Theatrical performances, workshops for people working in the theatre and the book industry, and workshops for the public, namely children. A number of foreign theatre and puppet troupes are invited.
The organization of the “from the alphabet to the Nahda” festival.  This pioneer program aims to make available to the large public knowledge on the role that Lebanon played in the diffusions of culture on the coasts of the Mediterranean and around the world, which will hopefully reinforce the public’s attachment to their country. The activities include holding an annual cultural fair: a popular gathering which highlights the key moments in Lebanese history through a film projection, a light and sound festival, a storytelling session, music, conferences, a book fair, and a photography exhibition, all of which are taking place in a neighborhood which was witness to the Nahda, the cultural revolution (Zokak el Blat). The light and sound festival is in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, ALBA, BALAMAND and USJ.
A round table will be held around the theme of the “future of public libraries”, under the patronage of the Farès Zoghbi cultural foundation in Kornet chehwan. The launching of the “Lebanese book club” will be punctuated by: poetic readings and readings of Gibran by Antoine Tawk at the Unesco palace, “discovering neighbourhoods” with ASSABIL (the Friends of Public Libraries Association).
The Samandal project: 4 events coinciding with the publishing of 4 issues of the specialized magazine. Each of these events is in collaboration with a different cultural organism.
The “books in motion” project consists of plays which familiarize the public with literature. They are performed in Arabic in a number of areas. Specialists in the world of performance from the Children's Theater Company of New  york are invited to participate.

How many projects have been accepted within the frame work of Beirut World Book Capital?
I think it’s important to mention that 284 projects related to the world of books: edition, activities, colloquium, fairs, etc. have been accepted to this day, 45 of which have already been executed. 187 of those projects are financed by the Minister of Culture.