Rome at centre stage in Abu Dhabi book fair
Fair grows bigger with 1,260 exhibitors from 63 countries
abu dhabi — All roads lead to Rome says an old proverb, and Rome is once again the centre of attention, as the nation of Dante, da Vinci, Pinocchio and, of course, pizza, is the country of honour at the 26th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF). Thus, there is a “made in Italy” aspect in all corners of ADIBF 2016.
Taking place till May 3, the fair this year has attracted 1,260 exhibitors from 63 countries. There are 600 authors, over 20 artists and some half a dozen chefs taking part in the fair’s 500 cultural activities. Bigger than ever, the ADIBF this year spreads over 31,962 square metres at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre, 10 per cent more than last year.
“Today we all have our cultural hats on. In this book fair we have books from all over the world, just as the UAE has people from all over the world,” said Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of
1,000 titles from 24 Italian publishers are showcased at the book fair
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, organiser of the fair.
“Today less and less people read and it is the target of our government for every home in the UAE to have a book and to read it,” he added. Now in its 26th year, the ADIBF is more significant than ever, as it coincides with 2016 being the UAE Year of Reading. As such, books of all times and all parts of the world are celebrated at the fair.
There is a pavilion dedicated to the life of the Arabic-Islamic philosopher Ibn Rushd, there is a dedicated art books corner, a Black Box Cinema screening Emirati short films, poetry recitals, cooking sessions and children’s reading and creative corner. There are country dedicated pavilions for France,
Today we all have our cultural hats on. In this book fair we have books from all over the world, just as the UAE has people from all over the world,
Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority 600 authors are participating at the book fair this year
Saudi Arabia and the biggest of them all, Italy. “Everybody knows the UAE and Italy have great political and trade relations, but not many know about our cultural connections,” said Liborio Stellino, the Ambassador of Italy in Abu Dhabi.
Following the meeting between visiting Italian cultural officials and their Emirati counterparts, he announced at the opening of the ADIBF that a new Italian school and an Italian cultural centre will be set up here in the near future.
“In times like these, of geopolitical disturbances, the cultural dialogue is very important, and it is reinforced in events like this book fair,” said Antimo Cesaro, the Italian deputy minister for culture.
Worldwide, Italy is fifth in terms of publishing titles. Last year alone, it published 60,000 new titles and 180 million copies.
At the ADIBF, its two-floor pavilion showcases 1,000 titles from 24 publishers in Italian, English and Arabic languages. Adjacent to the main pavilion, there is an exhibition dedicated to the Biblioteca Angelica collection in Rome. Selected from over 200,000 books held in the Monumental Hall of the ancient library, eleven historical titles, written mostly in the 9th to 14th centuries by Arabs, have made the journey to the ADIBF.