Sheikh Zayed named Personality of the Year at Abu Dhabi book fair

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi announced the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding President, will be Personality of the Year at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which takes place next month at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The honour, which comes during the Year of Zayed, acknowledges Sheikh Zayed’s commitment to education and heritage – a spirit that lives on in the literary event, which brings national and foreign publishers, literary and cultural organisations, and bookshops and distributors to Abu Dhabi. It has become a venue for those in the industry to debate publishing news, digital initiatives, copyright questions and matters pertaining to translation, and features a series of panel discussions open to the public.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As the nation celebrates the Year of Zayed, we strive to highlight the valuable intellectual legacy of the founder of our country, and his deep belief in the strategic significance of education and culture in human development.”

This ADIBF has named Poland as its guest of honour, celebrating the rich tradition of Polish literature and culture, which stretches back more than 1,000 years.

The fair, now in its 28th year, starts on April 25 and ends on May 1.