The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is one of the capital's biggest cultural events, with renowned authors flocking in from across the globe to mingle with literature-lovers and industry professionals from the UAE, the region and the world.
For its 29th iteration, which runs at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from April 24 to 30, a star-studded list of authors has been announced. This includes Ben Okri, Saroo Brierley, whose memoir inspired the film Lion, and Ziauddin Yousafzai, the father of Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai.
Eugene Rogan, author of The Arabs: A History, novelist Brandy Scott and the winners of this year's Sheikh Zayed Book Awards will also be present.
In total, there will be more than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries, displaying some 500,000 titles.
Three new zones will also be introduced: the E-Zone, where visitors will be able to explore the latest technology in the field; Comic Corner, which is dedicated to the DC Comics character Aquaman, is where screenings and workshops will take place; and an Entertainment Zone, featuring food and music from different cultures from around the world.
'Intellectual exchange'
“We are continually moving towards a knowledge-based economy, seeking to create a culture of intellectualism and expertise here in the UAE,” said Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, during a press conference at Manarat al Saadiyat. “This year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will have a tangibly strong and positive impact, enhancing the capital’s position at the heart of the world as an open platform for cultural and intellectual exchange.”
Abdullah Majed Al Ali, acting executive director of Dar Al Kutub (the National Library Sector) at DCT – Abu Dhabi, added: “Publishers from around the world have the opportunity to present their work, interact with their audiences, and discover the newest developments and innovations in the industry. Writers have the chance to promote their work and partake in valuable networking opportunities, while literary enthusiasts can snap up the latest books and products, meet their favourite authors, and participate in in-depth practical workshops.
“I am especially pleased that our high calibre of global participants, along with strong programming, has helped to attract even more new publishers this year, from countries that are coming to the fair for the first time.”
'The biggest pavilion'
The Guest of Honour is India, which has been reflected in the programming, as it seeks to celebrate the country's culture.
Smita Pant, a representative of the Indian Embassy in the UAE, said: “India enjoys very strong relations with the UAE and this partnership is reflective of the historical ties we enjoy with the Arab world.
“We will be bringing a delegation of more than 100 members with us, including publishers, literary critics and authors, and India will also have the biggest pavilion at this year’s event.”
For the full line-up of speakers and more information, visit www.adbookfair.com
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Racecard
6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m
8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
