The 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is currently captivating knowledge enthusiasts and lovers of elegant language in all its forms. Launched just two days ago, the exhibition is taking place over six days at the ADNEC Abu Dhabi, drawing in visitors from all backgrounds and ages. Readers eager to enrich their libraries with the latest publications flock to the event, alongside students on school trips and families selecting titles tailored to their individual interests.
A Platform for Learning and Interaction
This year’s exhibition is themed “Let’s Turn the Page and Read the World,” and it welcomes school trips from various educational institutions, merging knowledge, culture, and direct engagement with books. These visits are designed to introduce students to the diverse fields of the book and publishing industry, allowing them to interact with participating publishers and cultural institutions, discover a variety of new releases suitable for their interests and age groups, and engage directly with authors and creatives.
These excursions provide a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with a vibrant cultural experience, encouraging students to select books that meet their interests and expand their horizons.
Educational Programmes for Students
The fair offers a comprehensive educational programme featuring interactive activities and workshops that aim to nurture reading, writing, thinking, and creativity skills. This stimulating environment is designed for children and young people, enabling them to express their ideas and discover their talents, thereby reinforcing the fair’s role as a cultural and knowledge platform catering to all segments of society.
A New Voice in Podcasting
At the heart of the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, the “Podcast from Abu Dhabi” initiative transforms the written word into a vibrant audio experience, resonating with the pulse of modern times. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for the Arabic Language, this digital platform dedicates a substantial portion of its sessions to address contemporary issues impacting the youth with a fresh and innovative approach, steering clear of traditional narratives.
Among the 1,500 activities presented at the fair, “Podcast from Abu Dhabi” embarks on an inspiring journey through ten sessions. Beginning with discussions on “Emerging Creatives,” the programme progresses to explore transitioning “from Hobby to Project.” It dives deep into the secrets of “Nirvana Book” before shifting gears to the joyous realm of “Comedy in Our Dialect,” featuring stand-up comedy stars.
This podcast platform showcases a select group of distinguished podcasters from the UAE and the Arab world, providing content that reflects their uniqueness and creativity. “Podcast from Abu Dhabi” offers young voices a chance to shine and contribute to enriching discussions, inviting prominent personalities from various fields.
The significance of “Podcast from Abu Dhabi” lies in its role as a smart, knowledge-sharing bridge that resonates with the younger generation’s language and preferred digital tools, placing youth issues and ideas at the forefront while presenting their interests in a flexible and engaging media format.
A Celebration of Heritage and Culture
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority is also participating in this 35th edition, offering visitors a cultural and heritage experience that encapsulates literary, poetic, and Emirati performing arts publications. Since day one, the authority’s pavilion has witnessed engaging interactions with visitors, highlighting its latest publications and showcasing efforts in documenting and disseminating the cultural and literary heritage, which helps strengthen the public’s relationship with books and provides knowledge content reflecting the diversity of the UAE’s cultural and heritage landscape.
During its presence at the fair, the authority is showcasing a collection of works ranging from poetry and literature to studies and research focused on heritage and culture, granting visitors insight into its knowledge production efforts and initiatives aimed at documenting and preserving Emirati heritage for future generations.
The authority celebrated authors and their creations on the opening day with a signing event for the poetry collection “What the Mirrors Hide” by poet Mona Hassan, held at their pavilion. This event provided the public an opportunity to connect with the author and learn about her literary experience, marking the beginning of a series of signing events that will continue throughout the fair.
In conjunction with the authors’ presence, traditional performing arts added a vibrant atmosphere to the authority’s pavilion, showcasing the arts of “Al-Wana,” “Al-Taghruda,” and “Al-Tarij,” alongside performances featuring the rababah and choral singing, which will run throughout the exhibition, offering insights into aspects of Emirati artistic and performance heritage.
The first day also saw the launch of the “Nashid and Munshid” competition, attracting visitors in an interactive experience that merges knowledge with entertainment. The competition featured simple questions and illustrated cards designed to test participants’ knowledge of local heritage, traditional vocabulary, and elements of Emirati culture, playing a crucial role in familiarising new generations with their heritage and enhancing their connection to national identity.
Publishing New Research
Mohammed Salem Al Salmi, Director General of “Trends Research and Consulting Centre,” highlighted that their participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair aims to deliver scientific research to a wide audience of experts, researchers, thinkers, and decision-makers rather than simply exhibiting publications. During this participation, more than 18 new publications across various fields were launched, with a special focus on artificial intelligence technology, regarded as a cornerstone across all sectors today.