New books, ideas beckon young readers
ABU DHABI BOOK FAIR, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN 1981, MARKS ITS SILVER JUBILEE THIS YEAR
The fresh smell of newly printed books and the allure of glossy covers drew school pupils by the hordes at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) which opened its doors at 11am yesterday.
The book fair, which was launched in 1981, is marking its silver jubilee this year.
Young enthusiasts were seen at the children’s area holding colourful story books, and older students stared in awe at the stacks of books that stretched as far as the eye could see.
This year also marks the first official participation of special needs students at the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (Adec) Abu Dhabi Reads initiative.
“Every year, special needs students take part in Abu Dhabi Reads, but this year they are official participants and we have our own stand here at the fair,” said Hanaa Al Hamdani, an Academic Quality Improvement Officer at Adec.
A number of devices for special needs students were on display, including a personal FM system that allows deaf individuals to communicate.
Emma House, director for publisher relations at the UK Publishing Association, said: “Direct consumers are extremely important to publishers in the region, particularly those who are publishing in Arabic. Every country in the region has their own book fair, so it’s a very packed calendar, and publishers often find themselves spending most of the year going around the region visiting each book fair,” she said.
More than 600 authors and experts in publishing are taking part in ADIBF 2015, including Cynthia Bond, Jonah Tell (author of 100 Ways to Save the
World) and Indian author Altaf Tyrewala. Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the ADIBF is hosting 500,000 titles and 130 exhibitors from Croatia, New Zealand, Poland, Colombia and Georgia.