Latest news with #AbuDhabiInternationalBookFair
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.
Gulf Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
170 Emirati authors drive cultural dialogue at ADIBF
The UAE's creative industry – centred around the authors – took centre stage at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2025, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) from April 26 April to May 5 under the theme 'Knowledge Illuminates Our Community.' The fair reported wide participation from stakeholders across the UAE's cultural landscape, including publishing houses, authors, writers, thinkers, researchers, and intellectuals. Their active engagement was integral to the fair's diverse programme, designed to reach all segments of society and age groups, in line with the UAE's designation of 2025 as the 'Year of Community.' The ADIBF sought to promote the growth of the local literary industry and reinforce national cultural identity. It honoured a distinguished group of Emirati creatives who have made lasting contributions to the sector's growth over the years, while encouraging emerging Emirati talent from across various cultural fields. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to sustainable cultural development and the advancement of the publishing sector. The 34th edition of the fair witnessed notable local engagement, with over 170 Emirati intellectuals and writers taking part in the programme's sessions and workshops. A total of 275 Emirati exhibitors participated in the event, alongside 70 government entities, each contributing a range of activities. The Arts Corner featured 28 artists, 22 of whom were Emirati, while the World Cuisine Corner hosted 48 sessions, featuring contributions from 24 internationally renowned chefs, including 12 Emiratis. A range of initiatives were launched at the ADIBF 2025 to support Emirati talent, most notably the 'Self-Publisher' initiative, which brought together 20 Emirati writers. The initiative was designed to showcase the work of national authors, facilitate direct engagement with their audiences, and enhance their visibility within the publishing community. The initiative also aimed to foster sustainable partnerships with publishers and expand marketing opportunities for Emirati literary works. Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the ADIBF, said: 'The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair saw extensive local participation from all sectors across the UAE. This played a pivotal role in consolidating the fair's position as a global cultural and knowledge platform, through which the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre introduced a novel vision for spreading knowledge and ensuring access to it for all age groups and segments of the community. To that end, the fair's agenda featured a set of programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting the publishing sector and enriching the UAE's publishing ecosystem with everything necessary for its continued advancement.' 'The fair also provided an opportunity for Emirati publishers to engage with their international counterparts, facilitating the exchange of expertise and dialogue on key issues and emerging trends in the publishing sector,' Al Tunaiji added. 'The fair's rich array of panel discussions, specialised workshops, and high-quality content provided essential knowledge for professionals in the field. It also offered various forms of support to enable Emirati publishers to hone their skills and capacities, contributing to the overall development of the industry.' 'Emirati creatives across a range of cultural and intellectual fields, including publishers, writers, poets, researchers, speakers, trainers, and cultural influencers, also maintained a strong presence at the fair,' he noted. 'The fair's programmes were designed to empower emerging talents in literature, culture, and the arts, offering training sessions and workshops to enhance their skills and creative capabilities. Moreover, a series of youth-focused activities were also introduced to explore and nurture their interests, preparing them to participate actively in the cultural and creative spheres.' 'These efforts reinforced the fair's mission to foster a culturally engaged and creatively empowered generation, aligned with the UAE's strategic vision for sustainable development,' Al Tunaiji concluded.
Egypt Today
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Fayrouz Karawya Pays Tribute to Umm Kulthum at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair & Prepares to Release New Music
Artist Fayrouz Karawya honored the 50th anniversary of the legendary Umm Kulthum's passing by leading a special session at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, where she also performed excerpts from two of Umm Kulthum's iconic songs, 'Fakkarouni' and 'Hadhihi Laylati', in a touching moment that resonated deeply with the audience. The session was held to celebrate the launch of the book 'Umm Kulthum: From Birth to Legend', written by Hassan Abdel Mawgowd and published by Diwan Publishing House in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language. Fayrouz was officially invited by the fair to moderate the event, during which she highlighted key milestones in Umm Kulthum's life—from her early beginnings to her rise as an enduring icon of Arab culture and music. Karawya expressed her joy in participating in this prestigious cultural event, noting that 'speaking about Umm Kulthum is, in essence, a conversation about identity, beauty, and a timeless voice that continues to inspire.' On another note, Fayrouz Karawya is currently preparing to announce the release of a new collection of original songs, as part of her ongoing artistic project that blends musical depth with a modern vision.
Al Etihad
09-05-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Autoimmune Association hosts awareness session on World Lupus Day
9 May 2025 21:02 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)In celebration of World Lupus Day, annually marked on May 10, the Autoimmune Association (AIA) organised an awareness workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment on Thursday, bringing together a distinguished audience of specialists, media representatives, as well as ministry is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body — skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body, according to the World Lupus Day annual observance day aims to highlight the importance of raising awareness of lupus and the need for improved patient care and research into its causes and workshop was led by Dr. Eman Al-Hashmi, Founder and President of the Board of Directors of the AIA, who presented an in-depth session exploring the nature of autoimmune diseases, their most common types, and the critical importance of early detection and innovative treatment strategies. She also addressed key contributing factors such as genetic and environmental triggers, the role of lifestyle and nutrition, and the psychological and social impact on event was medically and scientifically supervised by Dr. Atheer Al-Ansari, AIA's Chief Medical Consultant, who facilitated specialised discussions and enriched the audience's understanding of comprehensive patient care a related initiative, Dr. Al-Hashmi also conducted a public awareness session during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, in partnership with The Sea of Culture workshop attracted strong community engagement, reflecting the growing public interest in autoimmune health and affirming the association's mission to bridge the gap between medicine and society, while enhancing quality of life across the to Aletihad on the sidelines of the event, Dr. Al-Hashmi explained how raising awareness about lupus supports the broader mission of the AIA."Raising awareness about lupus helps shine a light on the wider group of autoimmune diseases that are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. It's not just about one disease — it is about changing how people view invisible illnesses, and that's at the core of AIA's mission.''With this workshop, I hope we could break down the fear and confusion around autoimmune conditions, and help people recognise symptoms early. Early detection can make a huge difference in someone's quality of life.'Dr. Al-Hashmi noted that community outreach allows stakeholders to meet people where they are — it turns medical knowledge into something personal and accessible. 'Collaborating with partners like the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment amplifies that message and builds trust across different sectors of society.'
Sharjah 24
09-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
ERRA outlines future plans during its general assembly at ADIBF
The association's presence at the fair reflects its dedication to establishing a firm footing at major cultural events and engaging with the publishing and creative sectors to raise awareness of the importance of reprographic rights and intellectual property. It also underlines ERRA's role in protecting the rights of authors and creators amid the growing challenges posed by the digital environment and the ongoing expansion of production and publishing tools. Mohamed Bin Dakhen, President of the Board of the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA), reinforced that holding the general assembly during the Fair represents a strategic opportunity to evaluate performance and enhance governance. He also highlighted the fair's significance as a key platform for direct engagement with the public. He stated: 'The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is a leading national platform that brings together diverse stakeholders across the culture and creative sectors. It presents an ideal occasion for convening our general assembly, showcasing our efforts in supporting creators, and developing new partnerships that respond to the rapidly evolving digital publishing landscape.' Bin Dakhen added: 'We are keen on making our participation in this global cultural event an opportunity to introduce the association's services, membership mechanisms, and the vital role of mandates in rights protection. It is also a chance to broaden our relationships with partners in the publishing, creative, and educational sectors, while reaffirming the association's role in safeguarding intellectual property rights within a comprehensive framework that fosters cultural production and supports knowledge sustainability.' Bin Dakhen further explained that ERRA's participation is part of its ongoing commitment to raising public awareness of reprographic rights, promoting the responsible use of content, and cultivating a culture of respect for reprographic right s and related rights. He also highlighted the association's efforts to strengthen engagement with authors and publishers, expand the scope of mandates and memberships, and enhance collaboration with educational institutions, libraries, and universities to facilitate legal licensing of works within a structured framework that balances fair use with rights protection. ERRA's participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair reflects its sustained efforts to establish a legal and cultural environment that respects intellectual property rights, supports creators, and safeguards their work—contributing to the growth of the creative economy in the UAE and reinforcing its position as a hub for innovation and creativity.
