Despite the circumstances imposed by the “Covid-19” pandemic,

Abu Dhabi Book: Remarkable success and 20% increase in sales

• The exhibition established the emirate's position as a cultural destination of pivotal importance at the local and regional levels.

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The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, in its 30th session, which concluded recently, presented a program full of real and virtual events, allowing the publishing sector specialists, intellectuals and those interested in literature from around the world to participate in its various sessions in person or from behind the screens.

The exhibition, which was held by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, and organized by the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, recorded in its hybrid version this year an increase in Its sales ratio is estimated at more than 20%, compared to the previous cycle that was held in 2019 before the “Covid-19” pandemic.

In this context, Saud Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, said: “The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has been able to consolidate the position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a cultural destination of pivotal importance at the local and regional levels, thanks to what it has achieved under these exceptional circumstances that the world is going through. Achieving an increase in sales, and opening its doors to all members of society, while maintaining their health and safety. Over the course of seven days, the exhibition witnessed the reception of a group of the most important thinkers, artists and writers, whose participation had a great impact in stimulating the cultural scene, which had been affected since the beginning of the pandemic. The great turnout at the exhibition, and our readiness to receive an event of this magnitude, are among the most important indicators of the success achieved by the exhibition this year.”

For his part, the President of the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, Dr. Ali bin Tamim, said: “We are happy to conclude this cultural celebration, which was distinguished by all standards.

The reactions from the pioneers of the publishing sector were the best evidence of the effectiveness of the initiatives we launched to support the sector, and their importance in light of the challenges imposed by the pandemic.

The exhibition succeeded in creating a stimulating environment for publishers and intellectuals to exchange experiences, and discuss the most important professional and intellectual issues that affect them directly.”

Bin Tamim added that "the increase that was achieved in the percentage of sales came to demonstrate the great demand, and the renewed importance that reading gained in the year of the pandemic, to highlight the importance of cultural and literary production and its increase, in line with the aspirations of the public in our Arab region."

This year's edition of the exhibition witnessed the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding and the launch of important initiatives that would enhance Arab content, celebrate Emirati culture and heritage, and open new horizons for cooperation between leading local and international institutions, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language and the publishing house. Brill, to launch the refereed magazine “Al Markaz” and a memorandum of understanding with the Arab Youth Center, to build bridges of communication with the youth group, in addition to launching the “Emirati ammunition” initiatives to celebrate the fiftieth year, and “Atheer Books and Brief Books” for audio and read digital works. In turn, Moza Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, and Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, said: “We are pleased to dedicate this distinguished and exceptional session to the heroes of the first line of defense, for their efforts and sacrifices to serve the country, to succeed in hosting an event of this importance. It is the cultural movement of our region.”

The exhibition also witnessed the launch of a number of integrated initiatives to support the publishing sector, most notably the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to allocate six million dirhams to purchase a valuable set of books, references and educational materials for the benefit of school libraries in the country .

All exhibitors were also exempted from paying participation fees for this year.

For its part, the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has increased the number of financial grants to support the book within the “Lights on Copyright” initiative, to reach 300 grants, and the scope of support has been expanded to include audio and electronic books, through an innovative electronic platform, which is the first of its kind in the Arab region.

“Humanities and Digital”

The session, “Humanities, Digital, and the Post-Corona Era”, touched on the digital transformation that accompanied the pandemic, and the change in the way of communication between members of society,

Visitors to the exhibition also witnessed a tribute to the workers on the first line of defense, where the Consultant Internal Medicine, Vice President of the Emirates Society of Internal Diseases, Dr. Omar Al Hammadi, presented a session during which he spoke about the sacrifices of the frontline heroes, as well as the reasons for the spread of conspiracy theories and false news.

"falcon"

The author of the novel "The Falcon", the French writer Gilbert Senue, participated in the exhibition's audience in a special session to talk about this book, which presented a biography of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and his exceptional role as one of the most important men of the 20th century.

The translation was not absent from the activities of the 30th edition of the exhibition, which hosted a group of Arab and international translators in a session entitled “The Art of Translation: My Words Are Me, Your Voice Is Yours.”

which dealt with a translator's ability to faithfully and accurately reproduce another person's writing in a different language.

The participants also talked about the art of translation and the relationship between the translator and the author.

• Seven days witnessed the reception of the most important thinkers and writers, who stimulated the cultural scene.

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