Indian High Commissioner to UAE will form part of the attending delegation
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is set to return this year for its 29th edition, taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 24 – 30 April under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces. Thousands of literature enthusiasts and industry professionals from the emirate, the region and around the world are expected to attend, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for publishing.
India will be featured as this year’s official Guest of Honour, with much of the fair’s programming dedicated to reflecting and showcasing the diversity and richness of the country’s culture. India’s participation in the fair is expected to attract significant visitor numbers with various events and activities held throughout the entire duration of ADIBF.
These activations will embrace the fields of literature, culture, art, music, cinema and dance. India’s participation will also provide a chance for investors wishing to explore and capitalise on opportunities offered by Indian groups and publishers that are present in the GCC. In addition, the Indian Pavilion will host Indian writers, authors and literary scholars who will serve as ambassadors for the literature and art of their country.
The fair’s Main Stage will host some of India’s most talented authors, including India’s High Commissioner to UAE, HE Navdeep Suri, who will see his book, Inked in Blood and Spirit of Freedom, launched at ADIBF. The book is a translation into English of Suri’s grandfather’s famous poem Khooni Vaisakhi, based on his witnessing of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919. Also making an appearance is best-selling author Preeti Shenoy, who will talk about her new book Wake Up, Life Is Calling, discussing the inspiration behind it and why it is so important to live life to the fullest each day.
Abu Dhabi-based writer Deepak Unnikrishnan will talk about his new book To Remember, I Invented People, which discusses the people who raised him and how they shaped the narrative of his book. Author Shri Birad Rajaram will give a talk focusing on the themes and values of peace and truth examined in his book Exploring the Life of the Mahatma. In addition, Manoj Das, one of the most respected names in Indian literature, will speak about his book My Little India, which appraises the state of Indian values in today’s ever-changing milieu.
There is also an exciting roster of hand-picked Indian performers appearing at ADIBF, showcasing genres from classical music and dance, to Punjabi folk music and much more. Highlights include the hugely popular pop singer Jasbir Jassi, folk music group Kutle Khan and singer-songwriter Harpreet.
“Naming India as this year’s Guest of Honour demonstrates how the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair plays a vital role in allowing us to open ourselves to other cultures; this function is especially resonant in 2019, during what has been designated the Year of Tolerance,” said Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Acting Executive Director of Dar Al Kutub (the National Library Sector) at DCT Abu Dhabi. “The Guest of Honour cultural programme is just part of the extensive work we have done to ensure that the fair continues to innovate and engage, building on its success year-on-year to provide an important annual platform for all stakeholders in the publishing industry.
“I am especially pleased that our high calibre of global participants, along with the designation of India as this year’s Guest of Honour, have helped to attract even more new publishers this year, from countries that are coming to the fair for the first time. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair prides itself on its diversity and on providing a world-class experience for all participants and visitors, and I trust that its 29th edition will be the best yet."
Smita Pant, Indian Embassy Representative, said: “We are thrilled to be the Guest of Honour at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. India enjoys very strong relations with the UAE and this partnership is reflective of the historical ties we enjoy with the Arab world. We will be bringing a delegation of more than 100 members with us, including publishers, literary critics and authors, and India will also have the biggest pavilion at this year’s event. I’d like to express our gratitude to the Department of Culture and Tourism for nominating India as the Guest of Honour. We are looking forward to our participation and I urge as many members of the community as possible to come and visit the fair.”
ADIBF is the annual marketplace for the publishing industry in the Middle East and North Africa region. It offers a platform for local and international talent to showcase their work, and network with industry pioneers and specialists.
Catering to publishing industry professionals, fans of literature, poetry, and culture as well as families and students, ADIBF will feature 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries, with more than 500,000 titles on display. For the first time, the fair will see exhibitors from Ukraine, Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta and Portugal participating.
For further information about ADIBF, please visit: https://adbookfair.com/en/default.aspx
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About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.
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