It's a reader's haven
The 2009 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) has unveiled its cultural programme, showcasing some of the finest in international and Arabic fiction, with a range of talks, signings and panel discussions.
And according to the fair's organisers, this year – its 19th edition – is set to be even bigger than its predecessors.
"In previous years, we hosted an estimated 400,000 visitors at the fair," Claudia Kaiser, General Manager of KITAB, told Emirates Business. "And with more discussions and other initiatives planned for this year, we can only expect that number to rise."
KITAB, which is a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair, allows for the exchange of ideas and expertise to develop a professional forum for all sectors of the book industry in the region, and the ADIBF is one of its major business initiatives.
"It is important to attract a host of international authors and publishers, because our aim is to turn Abu Dhabi into a regional hub for the publishing industry," Kaiser continued. "The ADIBF is not just about buying books – it offers the opportunity to authors to meet potential business partners."
Additionally, Kaiser stated that this year's ADIBF will be an attractive option in these credit crunch times.
"We have many authors and businesspeople who come from India, for example," she said. "While they wouldn't be able to go to book fairs in London, ADIBF is better, because it's without a doubt cheaper to get to."
This year's highlights include a campaign set up by the Abu Dhabi Media Company to find the UAE's favourite novel. Forty novels in English and Arabic have been shortlisted, and the public can vote via the website www.nationsnovel.com. The two winning books – one Arabic and one English – will be announced on the fair's final day.
The fair will also play host to two of the region's major literary prizes, the Sheikh Zayed Book Awards and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
Entry to the ADIBF is free. For more information, visit www.adbookfair.com.
Day 1
Tuesday, 17th March
Internationally-renowned best-selling author Amitav Ghosh joins Publisher's Weekly's Ed Nawotka in conversation in the Discussion Forum, where there will also be an opportunity to meet the winners of this year's International Prize for Arabic Fiction. Plus, winners of the 2009 Sheikh Zayed Book Award will take part in a Q&A session.
Day 2
Wednesday, March 18
Author Simon Kuper discusses his hugely successful book Football Against the Enemy, which explores the politics of football and cultural identities at the ADIBF's Discussion Forum.
Meanwhile, a discussion on kick-starting literature and literacy in the UAE will be hosted by Peter Hassall with contributions from Emirati students.
Day 3
Thursday, March 19
Beirut, Lebanon was named World Book Capital 2009, so day three will be dedicated to discussing highlights of its literary programme, Beirut 39, with representatives Elias Khoury, Hoda Barakat, Maher Jarrar and Abdo Wazen.
Another discussion focuses on the UK's Hay Festival with Peter Florence.
Day 4
Friday, March 20
The Discussion Forum hosts a unique dialogue between Arabian poetry and European piano music, with Laura Feldmann and Mohammed Khalifa.
There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the distribution of Arabic books with Dr Mohammed Kafoud, and a Q&A will take place with Moroccan author Assia Djebar.
Day 5
Saturday, March 21
Today's forum will focus on Spanish literature, and how to bridge the gap between Latin and Arab cultures.
Other events include discussions with Saudi author Rajaa Alsanea and Swedish crime novelist Henning Mankell.
The day culminates in an award ceremony for the winners of a short story contest.
Day 6
Sunday, March 22
The final day of the ADIBF offers a session on "Today's Approaches to the Translation of Classical Literature", which will take place in the Discussion Forum.
Meanwhile, there will also be a Sorbonne Talks round-table, as well as the opportunity to meet with acclaimed poet Ethelbert Miller.