Abu Dhabi, UAE: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), concluded its participation in the 54th Cairo International Book Fair, organised by the General Egyptian Book Organisation at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre from 25 January until 6 February 2023.

The Centre hosted a busy agenda of cultural events and activities that brought together renowned intellectuals and creative thinkers, and attracted large numbers of the fair’s visitors and participants. The agenda included a wide range of seminars, discussion panels, poetry and musical evenings, as well as book signings for the ALC’s most prominent publications in various fields. The Centre also participated in a variety of events organised by the Cairo International Book Fair, driven by its mission to strengthen the status of the Arabic language and encourage the production of Arabic-language creative and cultural content at the regional level.

HE Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “The Cairo International Book Fair is a prominent cultural event that brings together pioneers of the publishing and book industry from all around the world every year. It is an ideal platform for the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to showcase the progress we have made in our projects and initiatives, as well as to promote our publications in various fields. It is also an opportunity to explore the latest global trends in publishing and translation, and to build productive partnerships with publishing houses and stakeholders with extensive experience in cultural and creative affairs in the Arab region, laying solid foundations for future projects.”

On the sidelines of the fair, the Centre organised a series of musical and artistic celebrations in collaboration with Egypt’s Cultural Development Fund, including two concerts in the Al Ghoury Dome. Umm Kulthoom: Poetry and Singing saw artist Marwa Nagy and her band perform the songs of the famed Egyptian singer, to celebrate the launch of ALC’s book of the same name. Meanwhile, at Abu al Tayyeb and Shawqi: A Selection of Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan’s Favourite Poems, audiences enjoyed compositions by Egyptian musician Mustafa Saeed, performed by the Aseel Band for Contemporary Arabic Music.

The ALC also organised a screening and reception at Cinema El Hanager at the Cairo Opera House, for the film Millstone: Al Ain “The Eye” is the First to See Dreams by Emirati director Nasser Al-Dhaheri. The film documents the life of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, and recounts how he spearheaded a renaissance in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi.

ALC Chairman HE bin Tamim took part in a panel discussion organised by the Centre under the title Arabic Language in Educational Curricula: Current Situation and Development Mechanisms, which explored the presence of the Arabic language in various educational curricula in the Arab region, and presents the report issued by the ALC on that subject. HE bin Tamim also participated in the opening session of the second edition of the Translation from Arabic: Bridge of Civilisation conference, as well as a session titled Salah Fadl: Critical Efforts between Theory and Practice, both organised by the fair.

The ALC’s Acting Executive Director, Saeed Hamdan Al-Tunaiji, took part in a panel discussion at the Intellectual Property Conference titled The Threat of Piracy on the Economics of Publishing, and another session at the Translation from Arabic: Bridge of Civilisation conference titled The Role of Awards in Supporting Translation.

The Centre’s agenda included a evening with Emirati poet Khulood Al Mualla, who performed a selection of her poems, and a panel discussion about the book Ali Bey Al-Abbasi’s Travels: Travel Literature and the Translation Challenges, which shed light on translated content and the challenges translators face when working on travel literature.

The Centre collaborated with the Arab Cultural Salon Foundation to organise a talk titled The Generation of Pioneers and Their Impact on Arab Culture: The Experience of Salah Fadl and Jaber Asfour, and also also held a symposium and book signing event for the publication Umm Kulthoom: Poetry and Singing, part of a series of music books issued by the ALC. It also hosted a panel session for the book Café Riche: Unfolding Egypt’s History by Emirati novelist and poet Maisoon Saqer, winner of the 2022 Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Literature category.

The session The Short Story in the UAE discussed the craft of short form writing, exploring its evolution, main characteristics, stages of development, and the most notable names in the field. Lastly, the session Arabic Music: Power of Influence...and Richness of Impact tracked the development of Arabic music through the ages.

-Ends-

About Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, established following a directive from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, late President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, works to support Arabic language development and modernisation through comprehensive strategies and frameworks, enrich the scientific, educational, cultural and creative contributions of the Arabic language, promote Arabic language proficiency and cultural understanding, and support Arab talents in the fields of writing, translation, publishing, scientific research, arts, content creation and organisation of book fairs. The Centre works to realise its foundational vision through dedicated programmes, human expertise, and meaningful partnerships with the world’s most prestigious technical, cultural, and academic institutions.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture, tourism and creative sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage, and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.