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Al Ain - His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Undersecretary of the Court of the Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, opened the ninth edition of Al Ain Book Fair, which presents several intellectual publications by Emirati writers in various fields of literature, poetry and history.
The exhibition opened with a musical performance entitled: "Paradise of Zayed" by a group of talented children who sang well-known Emirati, Arab and English songs.
HH Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan visited all the pavilions of the Book Fair, touring the different participating publishing houses. Al Ain Book Fair showcases books published by more than 90 exhibitors presenting thousands of titles, that include scientific and literary references in both Arabic and English.
HH Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan also reviewed the rich programme of events that have been designed to engage visitors to the exhibition and contribute to the promotion of the UAE publishing industry.
A key aim of Al Ain Book Fair is to encourage public learning about the local publishing industry, and to encourage young writers to communicate publically through literature that discusses various cultural and creative issues related to the intellectual movement in the UAE.
HE Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of The Department of Culture and Tourism, said: "This year, 90 local and regional exhibitors will participate in the exhibition, an increase of 17 per cent from the previous years in a space that is 20 per cent larger. The number of visitors to the exhibition is expected to exceed 47,000 this year, including school groups, families and young people, which is up 9 per cent from the eighth cycle. This reflects the developing interest in culture and the book industry in the city of Al Ain in the past years as a result of the Al Ain Book Fair. The fair contributes to stimulating the reading habits of all segments of society through the provision of a rich and diverse collection of books, activities and events that appeal to all members of the family.
"The Al Ain Book Fair is an opportunity for the city to meet and share ideas through the vision and dialogue of the most important local and Arab writers and intellectuals, as well as the most important publishing houses. The exhibition also contributes to creating an atmosphere of intellectual interaction among the pioneers of the exhibition, and as an open platform for all cultures.”
A series of cultural and literary seminars that discuss many topics and ideas related to society and education will be held throughout the fair and will feature intellectuals, writers and journalists.
The Al Ain Book Fair celebrates a selection of Emirati books and authors through a cultural programme that highlights the rich experience of these artists and presents a summary of their intellectual and cultural output. The accompanying cultural programme is a focal point for the public, and offers the opportunity to explore topics such as: Ahmed Rashid Thani - Ali Bab Al-Majah, Emirates Prize for Fiction.
In addition, the exhibition provides a vital programme for young people, taking into account all their different age needs through the "Creativity Corner", which presents a unique experience for children and families to learn about the world of books.
The exhibition also includes seminars and discussion sessions on social conversations and how to deal with life and raising children in an intelligent manner.
Al Qattara Center for Culture and Tourism is participating in Al Ain Book Fair through a variety of cultural and artistic activities.
The exhibition features the announcement of the winners of the first edition of the Shama Mohammad Prize for Literature, which included short story areas, poetry (Nabatiye and Fasih) and children's literature.
For the first time, the Al Ain Book Fair will appeal to comic lovers, who will be interested in a series of workshops and shows related to the art of cartoon art, the Star Wars show, the Disney show and the travelling Cosplay.
Al Ain Book Fair works to highlight the cultural aspect of the city of Al Ain and to strengthen the relationship between the reader and the book, contributing to the promotion of national belonging and loyalty. The exhibition has also contributed to the development of the cultural arena in the city of Al Ain and the growing interest in the book industry, in line with the vision and objectives of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.
The exhibition is open to visitors twice a day from 9am to 1pm and from 5pm to 10pm to attract as many visitors as possible from all walks of life between 24 September and 2 October.
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About The Department of Culture & Tourism
The Department of Culture & 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 the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture & 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.
© Press Release 2017
