Abu Dhabi, UAE – In an effort to support local publishing houses and promote children’s literature, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has announced the launch of a grant to buy books for children and young adults.

The grant covers books in both Arabic and English from the publishing houses that participate in Al Ain Book Festival. The initiative began with a purchase of 10,927 books from all 50 publishing houses that took part in the 2022 edition of the festival, with the total value of the grant amounting to AED 700,000.

His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “In line with our leadership’s vision to promote knowledge and strengthen the publishing sector, supporting publishers in the UAE is a leading strategic objective for the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, given the industry’s notable role in enriching the local cultural scene and nurturing a love of reading. The grant initiative offered by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi to purchase children’s books is a reflection of this support, and forms part of a series of initiatives launched by the Department and the ALC to promote the growth and continuity of the publishing sector.”

A total of 500 titles were purchased as part of the grant, 125 of which were in English. The books will be distributed to institutions and government entities in the UAE focussing on children and youth.

The books purchased by the grant were selected based on criteria such as their social values, issue date (no earlier than 2020), and the diversity of topics presented. Their subjects include non-fiction, historical, and fictional stories, as well as scientific and educational books designed to build children’s knowledge and personalities.

The grant is the latest in a series of initiatives launched by DCT Abu Dhabi and the ALC to support publishing houses and publishers. The Department had already rolled out an initiative to exempt publishing houses participating in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Al Ain Book Festival, or Al Dhafra Book Festival in 2022 from paying rental fees, in line with the ALC’s strategy to empower publishing houses and support publishers both local and from all over the world.

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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.