Latest news with #AbuDhabiArabicLanguageCentre
Arabian Business
7 days ago
- Arabian Business
Preserving the past, powering the future
Very little exists today that is untouched by AI. It impacts countless aspects of our daily lives and brings rapid urbanisation, with major cities conforming to modern standards. But often, it seems, these developments happen at the expense of preserving cultural heritage and nurturing the creative economy. AI's algorithms can sometimes favour mainstream content, potentially overshadowing more niche cultural expressions. Personalised recommendations, while enhancing user experience, could similarly create filtered perspectives. And the automation of certain creative tasks raises questions about how we support the ongoing cultivation of human artistic skills. Tension between the new and the old is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also about ensuring that people can connect with the stories, values, and heritage that have shaped their communities while having the opportunities and standard of living offered by a contemporary society. What if the same technology driving change could be leveraged to protect and preserve cultural heritage? It's a question that placemakers should be asking themselves, starting with the basics: using AI to protect built heritage. This means generating models or 'digital twins' that are able to identify changes and proactively propose recommendations for conservation of historic sites. For example, AI algorithms can analyse high-resolution images of historical buildings, detecting cracks or weathering patterns that might be missed by the human eye. But this is just one aspect of a bigger vision. Preserving cultural heritage By taking cultural heritage preservation a step further, it can become a living, breathing part of modern society, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its culture. In Abu Dhabi, through collaboration with research institutions, we are exploring the potential of AI in archaeology. Instead of relying solely on traditional excavation methods, AI can scan geological data and historical records to predict the most promising locations for archaeological finds. We can then use these findings to cultivate an interactive, transformative experience for generations to come through advanced imaging, 3D scanning, and natural language processing. While traditional methods are often insufficient to protect fragile artefacts, we have been able to unlock capabilities, using AI-powered scanning and analysis to meticulously digitise Emirati manuscripts, artefacts, and artworks, ensuring their longevity. In the same way, AI is being deployed to document, transcribe, and revitalise the unique Emirati Arabic dialect and oral storytelling traditions, which are at risk of being lost over time. Also working to protect our language, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre is building an AI-powered platform to get more young people to read. Features such as speaking to your book, asking questions, creating content, and listening to the book will make literacy more engaging. With personalised content recommendations, gamification elements and social sharing, the platform aims to cultivate lifelong reading habits and foster a new generation of avid Emirati readers. Sharing cultural heritage Creating engaging and immersive experiences is crucial for sharing a destination's cultural heritage with the world. This is why DCT Abu Dhabi is pioneering an AI-powered concierge to create memorable experiences. It is being used by 100 concierges across 80+ hotels and alternate accommodations. We are scaling it up and eventually this capability will evolve towards a visitor AI chatbot providing relevant information, such as attractions, cultural sites, events, hotels, beaches and restaurants, to improve our guests' experience. It is important to ensure that these experiences are representative and respectful of cultural traditions. This is where harnessing AI-driven insights like sentiment analysis and feedback comes into play, analysing visitor feedback to identify areas where museum exhibits can be improved or made more engaging. As Abu Dhabi gears up for more large-scale events and festivals in the coming months and years, the use of AI for hotel performance optimisation, strategic decision-making, and event planning has become increasingly important, taking into account historical booking data, local events calendars, and even social media trends to predict occupancy rates with greater accuracy – all powered by our intelligence centre, a one-stop shop for dashboards and reports. Shaping cultural placemaking Ultimately, the true value of AI lies not in its novelty or efficiency, but in its capacity to deepen our connection to our heritage and to each other. We must harness these tools to enhance our understanding of how the past informs our contemporary culture, and to advance the ways in which culture is created, shared, and experienced. AI should empower artists and creators, enrich our lives, and ultimately enhance our shared human experience. Abu Dhabi blends ancient traditions with state-of-the-art creative expression, which not only preserves but progresses our emirate's culture. We are transforming heritage into global discourse, fostering creative sectors, and reshaping cultural hospitality. By thoughtfully applying AI, placemakers can reimagine what it means to thrive in a world where tradition and innovation converge, creating a future where culture is not just conserved, but actively shapes a more meaningful existence for all.
Al Etihad
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre reveals winners of 2025 Research Grants Programme
30 June 2025 17:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the winners of the fifth edition of its Research Grants Programme, which supports high-quality research projects that promote the Arabic language and encourages researchers to develop innovative proposals across various creative year's list of winning projects features seven works, submitted by experts from five Arab countries and covering the fields of Arabic Lexicon, Literature and Criticism, and Editing of Manuscripts. Overall, the 2025 edition received a total of 516 submissions from 36 countries, with Egypt recording the highest number. These figures reflect a significant increase in applications and a wider geographic reach for the programme compared to previous editions. #AbuDhabi Arabic Language Centre reveals winners of 2025 Research Grants ProgrammeOverall, the 2025 edition received a total of 516 submissions from 36 countries. Read more: #AletihadNewsCenter #UAE @AbuDhabiALC — Aletihad English (@AletihadEn) June 30, 2025 In the Arabic Lexicon category, three projects were awarded: Arabic-English Dictionary of Collocations by researcher Ramadan Mohamed Ahmed Bakhit from Egypt; Dictionary of Arabic Treasures in the French Language: From the Middle Ages to the Present Day by novelist Dr. Shaker Noori from Iraq; and Dictionary of Postmodern Narrative by literary critic Dr. Ahmed Khreis from awarded projects in the Literature and Criticism category were The Arabs' Discovery of Japan: From the Russo-Japanese War to World War II by Dr. Reem Ahmed from Egypt, Professor of Political Science at Takushoku University in Japan, and The Dream, The Prison, and the Dark Room by Dr. Lina Al-Jamal from Lebanon, Lecturer at the University of the Editing of Manuscripts category, two projects were awarded: The Celestial Star in the French Conquest, edited by author and researcher Sheherazade Al-Arabi from Algeria, and A New Edition of One Hundred and One Nights: Study and Editing by Dr. Haitham Mahmoud Sharkawi, Associate Professor at South Valley University in Qena, Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: 'Through its Research Grants Programme, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre strives to support the efforts of authors and researchers specialising in the Arabic language and science, encouraging them to make further contributions in Arabic across all fields of knowledge that the programme supports. This, in turn, drives efforts to advance Arabic-language scientific content and reinforce Arabic as a language of culture, knowledge, and creativity.''The increase in submissions and countries participating this year reflects the programme's significant growth. Similarly, the growing interest from authors and researchers highlights the programme's value. The winners in this edition have produced important works that reveal the richness of the Arab research community and the wealth of insight, culture, and engagement it has to offer, further underscoring the importance of initiatives like the Research Grants Programme in promoting Arabic-language research.'The programme witnessed intense competition this year, with a notable increase in the quality and quantity of submissions, reflecting its growing impact in Arab and international academic and cultural circles, as well as its active role in advancing the Arabic language. This year's figures significantly surpass last year's, which saw 270 applications from 31 countries. This growth highlights the ALC's strategic vision and ongoing efforts to strengthen the Arabic language and foster innovation, authorship, and scientific research in the region and around the world.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair welcomed 400,000 visitors in first 10-day edition
450 speakers and participants including some of the world's top creative thinkers. The fair included the launch of 35 new publications by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, and 220 book signings by Arab and international authors. 5,790 media items were published in 51 countries including the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China. 117 million views were recorded across five digital platforms. Abu Dhabi, UAE – Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) concluded its 34th edition successfully. Running for 10 consecutive days for the first time in its history from 26 April to 5 May 2025, the fair welcomed around 400,000 visitors who explored more than half a million titles across all areas of knowledge. Moreover, the fair established a new tradition by announcing Indonesia as the Guest of Honour for the 2026 edition, demonstrating its commitment to best practices adopted by major international cultural events. Held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi under the theme 'Knowledge Illuminates Our Community', the event reflected the ambitious vision to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for culture, publishing, and knowledge. The fair also reinforced its own standing as one of the most prominent local and regional cultural events, recording a 65% increase in sales compared to the previous year indicating its success in promoting reading and supporting the publishing industry. With 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries speaking more than 60 languages, the fair attracted a wide audience of all ages and community groups. This aligns with the UAE leadership's declaration of 2025 as the 'Year of Community', asserting Abu Dhabi's status as a thriving centre for civilisational, cultural, and intellectual exchange. His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: 'The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is a significant platform for knowledge sharing and creativity. This year's edition charted a roadmap for the future with a scientific approach, and presented a comprehensive cultural vision. The 34th edition offered a programme focused on dialogue and critical thinking, addressing contemporary global issues such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, environmental protection, and heritage preservation.' The 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair stood out for its organisation, international participation, public engagement, and the calibre of its speakers, including renowned intellectuals, academics, writers, and artists. The Fair attracted more than 450 speakers and participants, including notable figures such as Iraqi-born former British politician H.E. Nadhim Zahawi; integrative medicine pioneer Dr. Deepak Chopra; novelist Conn Iggulden; actors Hussein Fahmy and Mena Massoud; jewellery designer Azza Fahmy; and author Khaled Ghattas, drawing large and passionate audiences. The fair's comprehensive programme and high-quality initiatives also achieved great success. For example, the On the Path of Knowledge initiative brought speakers to schools and universities, increasing student engagement and participation in the fair while raising a new generation of avid readers and knowledge enthusiasts. Student participation notably increased from the 2024 edition, with a total of 3,562 students participating and 14,674 students benefiting from associated activities across 25 public and private schools. These activities were overseen by 203 educators and supervisors, which resulted in over 18,000 total participants. The first-of-its-kind Author-Publisher initiative formed part of the fair's vision to support the social role of culture by targeting creative authors. Meanwhile, the 100 Stories from Our Community initiative showcases creative talent among UAE residents as part of the broader Community Campaign to Promote Sustainable Reading, launched by the ALC earlier this year. Another highlight of the fair was the Al-Mutanabbi Street, one of Baghdad's most famous cultural thoroughfares and a symbol of Iraq's literary and intellectual life. It featured 2,000 books and a collection of vintage newspapers. The fair also hosted the inaugural edition of the Arab Publishing Pioneers initiative, which honoured six Arab publishing houses with illustrious legacies, the oldest being nearly 160 years old. While the Guest of Honour programme spotlighting Caribbean culture was met with significant interest from the multinational audience, the Focus Personality (Ibn Sina) and Book of the World ('One Thousand and One Nights') programmes delivered immersive experiences and fresh insights into the legacy of the famed philosopher and the iconic work. The agenda also included the Poetry Nights Majlis, which hosted over 60 stars of Nabati and classical poetry, reflecting the prestige of Arabic poetry and the success of the programme. Meanwhile, the Creative Arts programme featured music and photography, among other things, as well as culinary arts as part of the World's Cuisine programme, which featured 48 sessions with 24 celebrity chefs, including 12 Emiratis. The fair's Professional programme introduced a new strategy, unprecedented in the region, to empower publishers and creatives to navigate the challenges of the evolving global publishing landscape and embrace the technological and digital breakthroughs that are reshaping the entire industry. The programme's workshops attracted significant attendance from all age groups. Also on the agenda was the Digitising Creativity conference, which explored the impact of digitisation on publishing and the creative industries. This event was held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Economy's Intellectual Property Sector, the International Publishers Association (IPA), the Arab Publishers Association, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the China Media Group, the Emirates Publishers Association, and Egypt's Bibliotheca Alexandrina, alongside notable figures from leading academic and cultural institutions. Additionally, the third edition of the Podcast from Abu Dhabi programme hosted 71 content creators with a global following of millions of people, presenting many original episodes. The programme also offered a platform to new voices by hosting 24 content creators participating for the first time. The Digital Square also played a key part in the fair's success, showcasing five cutting-edge digital cultural projects in collaboration with influential stakeholders. Government entities also played a pivotal role in the fair's success, with 87 departments organising widely attended activities and hosting over 200 speakers. Key contributors included the Ministry of Culture, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and the UAE Media Council. This high-level participation demonstrates confidence in the fair as a prominent platform for organising activities, promoting culture, exchanging knowledge, and bringing together intellectuals and experts from various fields. The ALC seized the fair's dynamic momentum to launch 35 new titles, including 'Wonders' Eyes in Abu Al-Tayyib's Mention of Inventions and Marvels' by ALC Chairman H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim; 'An Eye that Captures the Moment' a critical reading of photographer Kareem Sahib's work; 'A Certain Idea of France: The Life of Charles de Gaulle' by British historian Julian Jackson; and 'Between Shadow and Light' by Emirati photographer Jassim Rabee. Another new addition this year was the Under the Ghaf's Shade experience, which featured special encounters and book signings with over 40 authors. On the other hand, the dedicated Book Signing Corner hosted nearly 180 signing sessions, offering authors valuable opportunities to engage with the public. The ADIBF 2025 generated wide coverage from local, regional, and international media outlets, exceeding 2024 figures. A total of 5,790 articles were published across 51 countries, including the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China. Meanwhile, content published through the fair's digital channels amounted to 1,475 posts across five platforms, marking a 52% increase over last year. This was largely driven by a 78% increase in follower numbers during the event, bringing total views to 117 million, a 47% increase over the 80 million recorded last year. Total engagement grew by 37% from 3.9 million to 5.4 million, while total impressions increased by 48%, rising from 214 million to 315 million.
Al Etihad
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre launches ‘Child Reads' initiative
12 June 2025 17:22 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), in collaboration with the College of Education at the United Arab Emirates University, launched the 'Child Reads' event on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi Children's Library within the Cultural event offers children a delightful reading experience that reflects the spirit of the Year of Community and aligns with the campaign's objectives of promoting the Arabic language and emphasising the importance of reading in nurturing a generation that embraces it as a daily initiative, which hosts around 70 children, accompanied by their parents, aims to instil a love of reading in young minds, encourage family engagement, and equip teachers with the tools, strategies, and resources to foster early reading features immersive reading sessions designed to stimulate imagination, enhance language abilities, and promote meaningful family interaction, underlining the vital role of shared reading in early childhood female students from the College of Education are participating in delivering the activities, divided into two groups. Each student will lead a storytelling session and guide a related activity in small groups of five session runs for 45 minutes, with additional time allocated for transitioning between complementary activities. The students accompanied the children during these transitions, ensuring a smooth and well-organised experience in an inspiring environment that encourages reading and event features interactive oral storytelling sessions followed by enrichment activities led by students specialising in early childhood education and special activities aim to highlight the importance of reading in daily life, strengthen bonds among children, families, and educators, and nurture curiosity and a love of learning, as well as an enduring passion for event consists of seven themed stations, each presenting a different story with a unique setting tailored to the nature of its accompanying activity. Each story will be supported by visual aids and interactive materials to help reinforce the story's educational and moral messages in the child's the storytelling sessions, children have the opportunity to explore the books on their own, examine the illustrations and interpret each story from their own activity is designed to encourage engagement with non-verbal narratives, enhancing visual storytelling skills and enabling children to create and record their own stories based on the images using Centre has selected a collection of stories written by accomplished female authors specialising in children's literature. These include My Trait, Not a Monster, and Where Did the Black Chicken Go? by Amal Nasser; Dad & The Box of Happiness by Reem Al Gurg; and Zack le maniaque (Saroj Alghanoj), Salomé la pressée (Sula Al Ajula), and Cassandre la gourmande (Fola Al Akola) by Odile Bailloeul. The latter two titles were published by the Kalima Translation Project under the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language addition, the event features an intensive workshop for parents and participating educators, focusing on key guidelines for reading to young children and fostering a love of by experts from the College of Education, the session offers practical advice and strategies to attract children to reading and establish it as a regular and cherished habit.
Al Etihad
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
ALC opens nominations for 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award until September 1
11 June 2025 14:29 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has opened nominations for its 20th edition, accepting applications from June 11 until September 1, 2025. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the award's establishment, this special edition reflects its pioneering journey in enriching the cultural and literary landscapes, and strengthens its presence as an international platform supporting intellectual and creative excellence, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for inter-civilisational dialogue and cultural as one of the most prestigious literary awards in the Arab world, the SZBA accepts submissions across 10 categories: Literature, Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Children's Literature, Editing of Arabic Manuscripts, Literary and Art Criticism, Young Author, Cultural Personality of the Year, and Publishing and announcement follows the conclusion of the award's 19th edition, which received more than 4,000 nominations from 75 countries, including 20 Arab nations. Several countries were participating in the award for the first time, including Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali, which highlights the award's growing prominence on the regional and international cultural Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: 'As the Sheikh Zayed Book Award enters its 20th edition, we celebrate its remarkable journey and enduring impact on the global cultural and literary landscape. Its mission is more relevant than ever, to foster dialogue and knowledge, advance the Arabic language, and champion the exchange of ideas across boundaries. As we look to the future, the award remains a powerful force for shaping minds, enriching lives, and inspiring future generations. In the years to come, the award will continue to reflect the values that lie at the heart of our emirate's vision.'Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC and Secretary-General of the SZBA, said: 'The 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award marks a significant milestone following two decades of uninterrupted cultural work and achievements that have left their mark on the Arab and international literary and intellectual scenes." Bin Tamim added, "Under the patronage of our wise leadership, the award has established itself as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange, cementing the power of the written word to shape human civilisation and the future. Today, as we launch this new edition of the award, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting creative minds, preserving the Arabic language, and promoting culture as a cornerstone of comprehensive development."'We are proud of the tangible impact the award has made on the cultural landscape in its 19 years, during which we received over 30,000 nominations from more than 80 countries and honoured 136 winners across its various categories. These figures are not mere statistics, but a living testament to the growing confidence the award inspires among literary and intellectual circles. They assert the leadership role it plays in advancing authorship, translation, and critical studies, underlining its contributions towards promoting cultural dialogue, in line with the UAE's vision and mission to support human development.'Nomination conditions for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award stipulate that each candidate may nominate one work to one category, and the work must not have been nominated for any other prize in the same year, either directly or through a representative. Submitted works should also carry a valid International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to ensure the author's intellectual property rights are award will not be granted to any work that has previously won a major Arab or international prize, however, resubmission is allowed, provided the stipulated time gap has been met and new copies of the work are also allow authors to self-nominate or be nominated by publishers who may apply only for works they have issued, on the condition that the publisher receives written consent from the author. Nominated books need to have been published within the last two years at most, and should not have won any major international submitted works should be written in Arabic, except those submitted under the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category, which can be in other languages, as well as the Translation category (whether translated into or from Arabic) and the Arab Culture in Other Languages category, where works published in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian are the Cultural Personality of the Year award, candidates must be nominated by academic, research, or cultural institutions; literary bodies and universities; or by three prominent intellectual and/or cultural figures. Nominees for all other categories must personally fill out the nomination forms on the SZBA official its initial launch in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has served as a prominent international platform for creativity, promoting Arab publishing, and fostering inter-civilisational dialogue, drawing inspiration from the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The award continues its mission to empower creative minds, fuel intellectual production, and elevate the global standing of the Arabic language, all in line with a strategic vision that reinforces Abu Dhabi's role as a global hub for cultural dialogue, coexistence, and tolerance. To submit a nomination to the 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, or for more information about the submission process and forms, visit the official SZBA website ( which offers up-to-date and comprehensive information in English and Arabic. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
