![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKXDFWM2GFFIHOS6USIT72MIQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae6351103b2df6f6e05fd80fd9c3ab75fe9e30d18baa4cfc046d9c73cae4322&width=400&height=225)
A children's play area has been set up at the fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSNOMTJYAJAPRJTP72AA5YXP7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b848a38d92735cd1f7a4dcf45f72827a041b3479e08038ca294c4c0d487dcb90&width=400&height=225)
Taking place until September 30, Al Ain Book Fair brings together more than 100 local publishing houses. All photos: Al Ain Book Fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEQTUY3MVBDQRJHDCOX67LR2ZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6178cc0c210f0f54da9271062249b290b929d35f8ecc36be99ec00cdd9e1c0aa&width=400&height=225)
To attend the Al Ain Book Fair, an electronic access card must be obtained, either through the website or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair smartphone app
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YQWX3GF7RCSVISCIOLLRNCLYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4639943be1bda6ac80e11fe968b4fa3b0cb0143eacfdb1dce6e2dcc203a8944a&width=400&height=225)
Stringent coronavirus-related measures have been implemented in the exhibition space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UOYAE45WVJCOXJCV3NQ4ELESHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfcede121c4e97aef228a9ced5b10c2bfa70f514190c5ad58fd56a642b9f4a5a&width=400&height=225)
Visitor numbers inside the exhibition halls and pavilions are limited to avoid overcrowding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI73ZCMA6NDHLB72RENM2QMVZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d0f42536c3f3e6901ffa18fd9005cd430dd5b6b9a82b5b9279988a249950aa8&width=400&height=225)
Palm-sized art for sale at the illustrators' corner at Al Ain Book Fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ND6CKZGX3NCY5CIGXI3VO3JW6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=124ef5652899133bedaa0c928c7e581c347087451b4d7c731c89be25a510a229&width=400&height=225)
The 12th iteration of Al Ain Book Fair is being held at a new sprawling location in the shadow of the Zayed Central Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QPB7OEZJMRASRGRPWANITN3BZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ab75b3ecc4cb20842b3a8e0ec0ebac118d3fcb74f7382351bafff59c0771a03&width=400&height=225)
Al Ain has not hosted an event of this kind since the onset of the pandemic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SKW5SX5ZIJDUJCBZ3TD7NAF4RY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef18ffeb66089d350480dd7f941675eef70cfb09125d2bbeb136c4a24b94b505&width=400&height=225)
More than 100 local publishing houses are participating in this year's Al Ain Book Fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IXKNJIN5BBPFIFC4SQISG6AJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=749c79e7ac53eda27b01e391813cbc2d5d0d9bc79071d481c4191a4c27790e56&width=400&height=225)
Illustrator Vern Brown is offering workshops at the fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5K5CEV26WBHLHGEMBJMOREKHY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e46d2bd15deeb3f6b1e40a334fca5683439961b4174bfbb0d63bfd6077eff39d&width=400&height=225)
An online platform gives readers the chance to remotely browse the fair’s collections and buy books from participating booksellers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YT6X7OPRPVBHLKH6US7QHDVNUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=517c88f1e7dd5423c72d6f8b0505e63dabffbe07ae48c3171b688e69d9a78d3a&width=400&height=225)
Between the new venue, busy programme and concentrated digital presence, booksellers and participants say they are feeling optimistic about the fair’s comeback
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EX4CCSRD5NCJPIPLBMTG2YSWHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=75f14012776b6f462f197496a4608c0cac8a1da8e55d8a3bd6df25a3ce30c418&width=400&height=225)
The fair's programme was designed as a celebration of the UAE's jubilee
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LW5H6Z7HFBGZ5EJJBK4BKRJOPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3678a01cf4edfa517c46135dd8cf1865a94e3c0be1b2ffd50deebb389be6e112&width=400&height=225)
Artist Sally Alhashmi working at the illustrators' corner at the fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GAOHBWZ5NBBPF324BP46Y3CN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef09f988eb09e151fd3cef7a7ee53e4024dcd58381b90d45ed05540085e14b7b&width=400&height=225)
Sally Alhashmi paints familiar pop culture characters with Arabic phrases on almost any material she can find, from tote bags to T-shirts and canvases
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DSN6H6F3LNCPRJDMXDV5CHSZHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a3cdd843bff8d54db2c3a6cc9f7f37d49a2f478e604f4444f618d2c81abc427&width=400&height=225)
Ahmed Alsayed, a bookseller from Ajman's Al Naif Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKXDFWM2GFFIHOS6USIT72MIQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae6351103b2df6f6e05fd80fd9c3ab75fe9e30d18baa4cfc046d9c73cae4322&width=400&height=225)
A children's play area has been set up at the fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSNOMTJYAJAPRJTP72AA5YXP7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b848a38d92735cd1f7a4dcf45f72827a041b3479e08038ca294c4c0d487dcb90&width=400&height=225)
Taking place until September 30, Al Ain Book Fair brings together more than 100 local publishing houses. All photos: Al Ain Book Fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEQTUY3MVBDQRJHDCOX67LR2ZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6178cc0c210f0f54da9271062249b290b929d35f8ecc36be99ec00cdd9e1c0aa&width=400&height=225)
To attend the Al Ain Book Fair, an electronic access card must be obtained, either through the website or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair smartphone app
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YQWX3GF7RCSVISCIOLLRNCLYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4639943be1bda6ac80e11fe968b4fa3b0cb0143eacfdb1dce6e2dcc203a8944a&width=400&height=225)
Stringent coronavirus-related measures have been implemented in the exhibition space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UOYAE45WVJCOXJCV3NQ4ELESHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfcede121c4e97aef228a9ced5b10c2bfa70f514190c5ad58fd56a642b9f4a5a&width=400&height=225)
Visitor numbers inside the exhibition halls and pavilions are limited to avoid overcrowding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI73ZCMA6NDHLB72RENM2QMVZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d0f42536c3f3e6901ffa18fd9005cd430dd5b6b9a82b5b9279988a249950aa8&width=400&height=225)
Palm-sized art for sale at the illustrators' corner at Al Ain Book Fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ND6CKZGX3NCY5CIGXI3VO3JW6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=124ef5652899133bedaa0c928c7e581c347087451b4d7c731c89be25a510a229&width=400&height=225)
The 12th iteration of Al Ain Book Fair is being held at a new sprawling location in the shadow of the Zayed Central Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QPB7OEZJMRASRGRPWANITN3BZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ab75b3ecc4cb20842b3a8e0ec0ebac118d3fcb74f7382351bafff59c0771a03&width=400&height=225)
Al Ain has not hosted an event of this kind since the onset of the pandemic
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SKW5SX5ZIJDUJCBZ3TD7NAF4RY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef18ffeb66089d350480dd7f941675eef70cfb09125d2bbeb136c4a24b94b505&width=400&height=225)
More than 100 local publishing houses are participating in this year's Al Ain Book Fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IXKNJIN5BBPFIFC4SQISG6AJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=749c79e7ac53eda27b01e391813cbc2d5d0d9bc79071d481c4191a4c27790e56&width=400&height=225)
Illustrator Vern Brown is offering workshops at the fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5K5CEV26WBHLHGEMBJMOREKHY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e46d2bd15deeb3f6b1e40a334fca5683439961b4174bfbb0d63bfd6077eff39d&width=400&height=225)
An online platform gives readers the chance to remotely browse the fair’s collections and buy books from participating booksellers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YT6X7OPRPVBHLKH6US7QHDVNUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=517c88f1e7dd5423c72d6f8b0505e63dabffbe07ae48c3171b688e69d9a78d3a&width=400&height=225)
Between the new venue, busy programme and concentrated digital presence, booksellers and participants say they are feeling optimistic about the fair’s comeback
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EX4CCSRD5NCJPIPLBMTG2YSWHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=75f14012776b6f462f197496a4608c0cac8a1da8e55d8a3bd6df25a3ce30c418&width=400&height=225)
The fair's programme was designed as a celebration of the UAE's jubilee
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LW5H6Z7HFBGZ5EJJBK4BKRJOPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3678a01cf4edfa517c46135dd8cf1865a94e3c0be1b2ffd50deebb389be6e112&width=400&height=225)
Artist Sally Alhashmi working at the illustrators' corner at the fair
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GAOHBWZ5NBBPF324BP46Y3CN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef09f988eb09e151fd3cef7a7ee53e4024dcd58381b90d45ed05540085e14b7b&width=400&height=225)
Sally Alhashmi paints familiar pop culture characters with Arabic phrases on almost any material she can find, from tote bags to T-shirts and canvases
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DSN6H6F3LNCPRJDMXDV5CHSZHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a3cdd843bff8d54db2c3a6cc9f7f37d49a2f478e604f4444f618d2c81abc427&width=400&height=225)
Ahmed Alsayed, a bookseller from Ajman's Al Naif Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKXDFWM2GFFIHOS6USIT72MIQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae6351103b2df6f6e05fd80fd9c3ab75fe9e30d18baa4cfc046d9c73cae4322&width=400&height=225)
A children's play area has been set up at the fair
Al Ain Book Fair celebrates UAE's cultural heritage with return to Zayed Central Library
The event, now in its 12th year, brings together more than 100 local publishing houses
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
22 September, 2021
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