Global Arab Network | UAE: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair celebrates 21st anniversary

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UAE: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair celebrates 21st anniversary

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 12:41

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which celebrates its 21st anniversary this year, originally started life in a modest marquee with just 70 exhibitors. Today, it is held in the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and attracts exhibitors from all over the world – including Brazil and Peru, who will join this year’s list of participating countries for the first time, Global Arab Network reports according to a press statement.

India’s cutely named Wink e-reader will be on display and available to buy in the Middle East for the first time, courtesy of E C Media (International). The nifty little gadget is supported by 15 different languages and electronically offers 200,000+ book titles, making it a very attractive commodity for the international book market.

In addition, a line-up of speakers from across the world will impress, entertain and educate visitors across all spectrums over the six-day event. Visitors can expect to see literary and intellectual debates, presentations by high-profile international business people and cooking demonstrations by world-class chefs. There will be activities for children, book signings by celebrated authors, a poetry forum, live performances from home grown Emirati rap artists, and the opportunity to buy books towards the end of the fair.

HE. Jumaa Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director General of the National Library and Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, says:

“With 20 successful years behind us, we are proud of the rich history, achievements and reputation of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. It has served as the platform for the publishing sector in the Arab World and offers a meeting point for Arab publishers to showcase their talent and network with their international counterparts showcasing what potential our region has to offer. With over 500,000 titles at the fair and books in diverse languages the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is an event that combines the best opportunities for businesses to trade and network and for consumers to access books and reading.”

Ms. Monika Krauss, General Manager of Kitab – organisers of the Fair – adds:

“The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2011 will be a unique event and a real place of meeting between East and West, North and South,” said. “The presence of such internationally recognised figures as the Saudi Arabian novelist Raja'a Alem and the South African poet and author Breyten Breytenbach gives the tone for this year’s event, where the wide and wonderful world of books will open to the public.”

Middle Eastern writers will be given the opportunity to meet their contemporaries from the Far East as the Korean Book Industry falls under the ADIBF’s Market Focus spotlight. Award-winning and best-selling Korean authors Munyol Yi (Hail to the Emperor and Until We’re Happy) and Juyeong Kim (The Skate Ray and A Fisherman Does Not Break the Reed) will be giving presentations alongside Minjeong Kim – an award-winning Korean poet and publisher.

The Cultural Focus of this year’s fair will be France. Presentations will be given by leading French figures including Pierre Arizzoli-Cleméntel (ex-Director General of the Château de Versailles), Patrick Chamoiseau (award-winning novelist, playwright and essayist), Nicole Lambert (artist and illustrator of Madame Figaro magazine fame), and Philippe Jodidio (ex-Editor-in-Chief of the most widely distributed French art journal Connaissance des Arts). Also appearing will be Kénizé Mourad (daughter of an Indian Raj, granddaughter of the Ottoman Sultan Mourad VI, journalist and author of the international best selling novel, De la part de la princesse morte / Regards from the Dead Princess) and Professor Breyten Breytenbach (the finest living poet of the Afrikaans language.)

Additional Programme highlights:

- Meet the winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2011. Will it be the Moroccan poet Mohammed Achaari, Saudi novelist Raja Alem, Egyptian writer Khaled Al-Berry, Moroccan novelist and scriptwriter Bensalem Himmich, Sudanese novelist Amir Taj al-Sir or Egyptian writer and Professor of Arabic literature at the University of North Carolina Miral Al-Tahawy? All will be revealed…

- "How to Understand the Arabs in the Gulf" and "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Gulf - 19 Rules for Doing Business in the Arab World" -Tips from Ali Al Saloom - an expert in Emirati culture and business. His television show, Ask Ali, reaches thousands, as does his column in The National’s M Magazine.

- Presentation: Breaking Down Barriers of Communication in the Middle East through Blogging. Local Bloggers Discuss Connecting with 400 Million People in the Region.

- Discussion: Who's afraid of Piracy? Online Piracy in the Arab World and the Basics of Digital Rights Management: How Does It Work, Where Does It Make Sense, What Are the Challenges?

- Book-signing, Book Launch and Conversation with Jostein Gaarder – Norwegian author of Sophie’s World – one of the most successful novels ever published. Translated into 53 languages, it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Jostein will launch his latest novel The Castle in the Pyrenees in the Arabic language at the Fair.

- Hissa Hilal reads her poetry. The Saudi Arabian one-time poetry editor of the London-based Arabic daily newpaper Al-Hayat has often courted controversy with her fiercely critical poetry .for which she finished 3rd place at the Million’s Poet Competition.

- Conversation with Vénus Khoury-Ghata - the celebrated Lebanese author of 20 novels and 20 poetry collections. Winner of numerous literary awards, the author sits on ten literary prize committees and created the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie (Five Continents of Francophony Award).

- Conversation with Sylvia Nasar – author of A Beautiful Mind – the award-winning biography of mathematical genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash which inspired the eponymous Hollywood movie.

- Book-signing and Presentation on “How I became a writer”. One of Sweden’s most famous children’s book authors, Ulf Stark, will be joined by Mahmoud Shuqair, ex-general director of the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, journalist and award-winning author of works of fiction that include My Cousin Condoleeza. The Arabic translation of Ulf Stark’s book How I Became a Writer will be launched at the ADIBF.

- Meet Åsne Seierstad. The Norwegian author of the best-selling book The Bookseller of Kabul will talk to Nick March, Editor of The Review at The National, followed by a book-signing.

- Discussion: Mahfouz and the movies. Film and literary speakers will pay homage to the greatest Egyptian writer, who would have turned 100 this year. Host: Peter Scarlett, Director of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

- Book-signing and Discussion: Young Muslims in the West. Speakers will include: Moustafa Bayoumi – an internationally recognised journalist and author of the awarding-winning book How Does It Feel to be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America. The award-winning journalist Zaiba Malik, recently named one of the 20 most influential black and Asian women in the UK, will also take part.

- Discussion: Writing thrillers and Science Fiction in the Arab World. Courtesy of Bloombsbury Qatar Publishing, one of the few mystery/suspense writers in the Arab World, Ahmed Mourad, will take part in this session. The Egyptian is author of the best-selling novel Vertigo.

Global Arab Network

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