Abu Dhabi: The 26th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) will welcome 1,260 exhibitors and 600 authors from 63 countries, representing one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest cultural events and its prominent role in promoting books and reading in the Arab world.

Announcing the book fair, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority (TCA) officials said Italy would be the guest country.

“This year’s activities and events at the ADIBF reflect local and global cultural and intellectual concerns. Italy has been chosen as this year’s guest of honour due to its importance to the cultural and political landscape in the contemporary world, and the cultural bonds that brought us together centuries ago,” said Dr Ali Bin Tamim, member of the TCA’s board of directors.

“We are working towards a clear vision for the advancement of local culture and the promotion of Arab authors, laying down a pivotal moment for the interaction of Arab culture with other cultures in order to spread tolerance and to build bridges among different races under one roof,” he added.

Bin Tamim also said that the famous Andalusian philosopher, Ibn Rushd, was chosen as the book fair’s personality of the year.

“Selecting the great philosopher Ibn Rushd as ADIBF’s personality of the year recognises his credentials as a courageous historical thinker and his contribution to creating and spreading the region’s cultural renaissance,” he said.

For his part, Italian Ambassador to the UAE Liborio Stellino said that Italian culture would feature prominently at the fair with several different events and activities planned.

“We have established an integrated programme aimed at bringing the public closer to Italian culture. We will open … with a public concert by the Venice Quartette that will play classical music.

“The Italian pavilion will be animated by illustrations of famous Italians, and we will have almost 20 famous Italian authors coming to the fair,” he added.

Mohammad Al Shehi, director of research at the TCA, said that 500 cultural initiatives will take place. “We have increased this year’s book fair by more than 10 per cent compared to last year, with more than 500 different cultural events taking place. These include the Ibn Rushd pavilion which will have all of his lectures,” he said.

“Other activities will include a creativity corner for young people, an illustrator’s corner, and our new signatures of books,” he added.

With inputs from Aseel Lulu, trainee at Gulf News

Event at a glance

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

When: April 27 to May 3

Where: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi City

Timings: 11am — 10pm on April 27, 9am — 10pm on all other days except Friday, 4pm — 10pm

Admission: Free