32nd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair gets ready

Open to the public, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, one of the largest in the Arab world, kicks off on May 22.

PlatinumBook’s busy stand at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2022.Image: Publishing Perspectives, Porter Anderson

By: Managing Editor Porter Anderson | @Porter_Anderson

Country of Honor 2023: Türkiye

A32nd edition Abu Dhabi International Book Fair As it approaches (22-28 May), the towering Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center has more than 2,000 events planned, with at least 1,300 exhibitors from more than 90 countries already scheduled to arrive.

as publication point of view As readers know, book fairs open to the public are the premier bookselling vehicle in much of the Arab world. That’s why there are special wheeled trolleys for families and kids, who will see them roam the showrooms with their finds from the plethora of books to take home.

The show is expected to attract approximately 150,000 or more visitors annually.

The country of honor at this year’s expo is Turkey, and it comes at a momentous moment: just a week before the opening of a massive expo at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center centered around a Turkish pavilion, the high-profile elections in Ankara and Istanbul are underway. Reuters’ Orhan Coskun wrote, “Turkey appears to be holding a presidential runoff after neither Tayyip Erdogan nor rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu outright won on Sunday, although the Erdogan has done better than expected in the fight to extend his 20-year rule.”

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, Turkish programming will include highlights of the country’s cultural exchanges with the Arab world and aspects of Turkish cultural pride.

The program focuses on Turkish literature, including poetry, as well as translations of literary classics; a look at Turkey’s culinary traditions and the “game-changing women” who have contributed to them; a feature titled “Philosophy for Children”; and is expected to include B series of authorstribe Evazoglu and Muhammad correct Su Chin.

The overarching theme of Abu Dhabi Expo: Sustainability

In the halls of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2022. Image: Publishing Perspectives, Porter Anderson

this united arab emirates Having designated 2023 as the “Year of Sustainable Development” in light of its plans to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 28will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 and drew attention last week bodur kasimi exist Sharjah International Booksellers Conference.

At next week’s Abu Dhabi fair, the theme is expected to be delivered through a series of thought-provoking observations on the future of our planet, including of course a panel discussion aimed at exploring sustainability as it relates to the book publishing industry.

Each year the fair has a “person in focus”, this year the 14th-century Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun, who was a key figure in the development of the social sciences.must have history discussion, philosophy, and literature related to Khaldun’s influence, with speakers including Tunisian historians and archaeologists Ibrahim Shabuphilosopher ahmed Barkawibritish writer anthony Saturdaytin.

publication point of view As readers know, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is also home to news about major literary awards, as well as Sheikh Zayed Book Prize introduce its 17th Award Winnersand International Prize for Arabic Fiction Name this year’s winner its shortlist, which we publish on March 1.

Although the Zayed Prize is Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center under the guidance of Dr AS Alibin Tamim, and this is also the 15th year that Abu Dhabi has hosted the Arabic Fiction Awards. In turn, the Arabic Language Center is a project of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair also features a specialist program including sessions on marketing, translation, partnerships, content creation and publishing. Of course, this year’s topics will include digital publishing, as well as issues surrounding “artificial intelligence”, social communication and marketing.

Organizers said they felt there was a special emphasis on young people in “all programs and events” this year, with a focus on educational programming including reading sessions led by authors and illustrators, science and art workshops and theater performances.

Matt Ridley

Speakers expected to introduce the UAE audience include the popular Matt Ridley, author of HarperCollins/FourthEstate The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolved and How Innovation Worksand more recently, Viruses: In Search of the Origins of COVID-19.

We will of course have more coverage of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and today (15th May) we have a companion article featuring an interview with a speaker at the upcoming International Arab Publishing Conference, Creative Industries .