India to be Guest of Honour at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2019

Next year's fair will embrace Indian literature, music, cinema and dance

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The Department of Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced that India will be the guest of honour at next year's Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF).

The fair, which runs from April 24-30 2019, will celebrate cultural and literary output in the UAE, while also embracing Indian literature, music, cinema and dance.

An Indian Pavilion will host authors and literary scholars who will discuss the culture of their country.

Saif Saeed Ghobash of DCT – Abu Dhabi said: “India’s selection as the Guest of Honour of the 29th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair underscores the deep ties between India and the Arab world and the long-standing UAE-India relationship, which preceded the UAE’s foundation in 1971.

“Inspired initially by trade, these relations expanded to encompass cultural and literary products and scientific and artistic marvels, offered by a country in which 24 official languages ​​and hundreds of dialects coexist.

“India’s power is not limited to its economy or its universally admired film industry; there is great strength in its cultural output, boasting as it does some 16,000-plus publishers.”

Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director of ADIBF, said: “The 29th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will celebrate India, with its authentic culture, arts, heritage and knowledge-based traditions. These credentials are deeply rooted in its history, which spans more than 8,000 years and offers a wide variety of cultural and creative products in the fields of art, authorship, publishing and knowledge.

Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

“Celebrating India also reflects the UAE’s long-term vision of establishing bridges of communication with other world cultures.

“ADIBF 2019 is expected to be a vibrant cultural event and an art and folklore festival with India’s presence showcasing its languages, creative products and publishing industry. We are looking forward to welcoming Indian artists, creative minds and renowned influential authors.

“We hope that this cultural gathering will result in a joint publishing industry that benefits from the publishing markets of both countries, offering professional development opportunities and unique knowledge-based products to the intellectuals and writers of both countries.”

___________________

Read more:

Book review: Is '21 Lessons for the 21st Century' another hit for Yuval Noah Harari

Ed Husain on what the Middle East could learn from the European Union

Drawing from life’s struggles in Palestine: Mohammad Sabaaneh's political cartoons

___________________