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Organised and supported by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage the 22nd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2012, to be held next month, is launching a new initiative titled ‘Autographs’ (‘Tawaqee’ in Arabic).
The initiative is the first of its kind in the region and promises to promote reading, support publishers and authors by hosting authors and providing exposure. Readers can interact with authors of their choice and get their favourite books signed.
As part of the ‘Autographs’ initiative, the organisers will host celebrity authors during the book fair, besides hosting book-signing ceremonies. The first 50 readers will also get a complimentary copy of the book at the signing ceremony.
ADIBFis a major initiative under the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage will run from March 28 to April 2 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
In his comments, His Excellency Jumaa Abdullah Al-Qubaisi, Deputy Director General of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Director National Library and Director Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, said: “Abu Dhabi has taken centre stage in the global publishing industry, in line with its vision to become a knowledge-based economy and a world-class society. Over the years, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has played a strategic role in bringing top-notch authors and publishers on a common platform with readers. The book fair is a great opportunity to showcase the unmatched opportunities that the Arab publishing market has to offer, especially considering that there are over 300 million potential readers in the Middle East and North Africa region alone.”
Some of the prominent authors expected at the book fair include Ibrahim Al Koni, Alia Mambouh, Emily Nasrallah, James J. Zogby; and the much celebrated graphic novelist duo: Khalil and Amir, Rachid Boudjedra, Susan Abulhawa, Youssef Ziedan, among others. The ADIBF will also host Dr. Amir Taj Al-Sir, whose novel‘The Hunter of the Chrysalises’ has been nominated for the ‘Arabic Booker Prize’ in the year 2011.
The award winning author of Gold Dust, Ibrahim Al Koni, said: “I am excited to be participating in this new initiative. Autographing books is a new culture in the Arab World. This is now perceived as a form of creative enlightening to produce an intimate relationship between the author and his or her fans in addition to building an atmosphere to encourage reading.”
“Tawaqee is important and was needed for the Arab Publishing World. It will build direct relationships between the publisher, author and public. I am proud and looking forward to see Dr. Amir Taj Al-Sir interacting with Emirati and Arab audience. Such an initiative will support reading and education across the region,” said Bachar Chebaro, Vice President-Partner Arab Scientific Publishers, Inc.
ADIBF has achieved phenomenal growth since its inception. The first edition, held in 1986, saw participation of 70 publishing houses. In 2011, the fair brought together over 875 publishing houses and showcased over half a million titles in different languages. The 2011 book fair was housed in an area of 21,741 square metres, boasting participants from 58 countries and generating over AED 100 million in sales.
The annual book fair offers a range of cultural, literary and intellectual events activities that include lectures, movie screenings and concerts, targeting people from all age groups. The fair plays a pivotal role in supporting local institutions and libraries across the UAE and assists both schools and hospitals.
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