The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair gears up to delight resident readers
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The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) returns to the capital for its 24th edition, in a celebration of all things the written word.
The annual exhibition, which will be hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre from 30th April to 5th May, will see both readers and writers take centre stage.
Chapter 1 – The story begins
The region’s fastest growing book fair, which is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), will see an increase in publishers and international guests from around the globe. With a larger exhibition space than last year and 1,050 exhibitors signed up, this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADIBF aims to help develop the book and publishing industry in the Middle East and North Africa. While promoting reading in Abu Dhabi, the book fair is also a venue for both Arabic and international publishing communities to come together.
Chapter 2 – Neutral territory
The Kingdom of Sweden was announced as the Guest of Honour for this year’s edition of the fair. The special focus on the country will see attendees taking part in special cultural events, lectures and visiting the purpose-built 96 square metre pavilion dedicated to the country.
“Through its annual cultural programme, ADIBF has consolidated its presence, both regionally and internationally, by highlighting the cultural landscape of many countries. Sweden is a prominent contributor to preserving human heritage and has become a pivotal model for intellectual communication through its innovative initiatives,” said HE Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy general of TCA Abu Dhabi.
The Embassy of Sweden in the UAE is set to prepare a unique cultural programme at the pavilion, hosting authors and intellectuals in a variety of lectures and workshops. With over 20 renowned Swedish authors, poets and illustrators from various genres invited to the fair, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the culture of the country.
HE Max Bjuhr, Ambassador of Sweden to the UAE, added, “As Guest of Honour this year, Sweden will showcase a wide variety of culture – from different genres of literature
to illustrations, food and music. Visitors will be able to smell, taste, hear, feel and see different dimensions of Sweden.”
Chapter 3 – In focus
The 24th edition also sees a new tradition at the fair, in which a focus personality will be given headline status at the event. This year, the great Arab poet Abu at-Tayyeb Al Mutanabbi, who lived in the fourth century AH, will be celebrated.
Considered to be one of the greatest Arab poets of all time, his eloquent poetry often contained wisdom and philosophy from his life. A specially dedicated pavilion at the fair will feature an international library of Al Mutanabbi’s literature, poetry collections and dissertations written about him in Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish and more.
In addition a ‘Majlis Al Mutanabbi’ will feature daily lectures and seminars revisiting the poet’s life. A dedicated website on the poet’s work, and an art exhibition will be hosted throughout the fair, featuring works from artist’s inspired by Al Mutanabbi.
“Old and modern history is teeming with names of great innovators who contributed to shaping the consciousness of successive generations, and worked towards crystallising Arab thought. Their thought processes are a great source of pride for us, and we have a responsibility to pass this rich heritage to our next generations by making this heritage available and open for discussion, dialogue and rereading,” explained Dr Ali bin Tamim, executive director of the National Library Division at TCA Abu Dhabi.
Chapter 4 – And… action!
Books and films go hand in hand, with literature often being the inspiration for the cinema. In order to highlight this relationship and promote Emirati filmmaking, the Black Box Cinema project will take centre stage at the ADIBF.
Developed by Emirati actor and film director Nawaf Al Janahi, the project will showcase a number of Emirati films and focus on the local cinematic industry. A miniature cinema theatre will show fifteen short features throughout the fair, in addition to special workshops and seminars on offer to help hone screenwriting skills.
To further strengthen the relationship between books and the big screen, visitors who purchase a cinema related book from participating publishers will be able to watch a film for free at the theatre between 2pm to 5pm.
Sweden’s super sleuthing stories
Abu Dhabi Week sat down with Swedish crime writer Kristina Ohlsson, about her upcoming appearance at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
How did you start writing?
I have always written stories, since the very first day in school. As a child, I used to tell anyone who cared to listen that I wanted to become a writer. In 2007, when I was really bored at work, I wrote my first book, Unwanted. It was a fantastic experience and afterwards I knew that I had to continue writing new books.
Can you talk more about the rise in global popularity of Swedish crime novels? What do the Swedes do so well, when tackling this subject?
A difficult question that I am often being asked, but don’t feel I have a good answer to. I think that one has to take a number of factors into account in order to explain what have made this general success possible. For example, Sweden has for decades had a number of extremely successful crime writers who have made Swedish crime fiction world known (Sjöwall/Wahlöö, Henning Mankell, Leif GW Persson, Liza Marklund, and later – of course – Stieg Larson), which in turn has made it easier for authors like myself to enter the international market and become translated to a large number of languages.
How is your process different from writing a book for adults and a book for children?
I would say that the differences between writing for adults and children are few. What one has to keep in mind when writing for children is that the story has to be less complex with fewer characters and less dramatic developments.
What are the key elements of a successful story?
For me, it is all about the pace, about the energy. I want the story to move fast-forward and I want to feel something when I read. Compassion, sorrow, fright, whatever. If a story lacks energy and emotions, it is definitely not a successful story.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
From other books and movies. But mostly from my own twisted imagination.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors here in the UAE?
There are two simple things you have to remember: One, you have to read as much as possible. Two, you have to write as much as possible. Then, and only then, can you become a good author. Through writing and reading you get the handcraft and practice necessary to tell good stories.
What can we look forward to in the future from you?
I will continue to write for both adults and children. This autumn I’m releasing a brand new series about a lawyer. I will also publish my first factual book in May.
For more, check out Ohlsson at ADIBF on Thursday 1st May for a meet-and-greet in The Tent at 7.30pm and Friday 2nd May for a Swedish Noir! lecture at The Tent at 8.45pm.
Acknowledgements
ADIBF is free of charge to attend and will be hosted from 30th April to 5th May, every day from 9am to 10pm, except for Fridays. Friday timings are from 4pm to 10pm. To find out more visit: www.adbookfair.com
Sawaiba Khan
