Abu Dhabi: The 10th edition of the Al Ain Book Fair will start from September 23 in Al Ain, the The Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced on Sunday.
The fair’s accompanying cultural programme will focus on discussions with Emirati writers on various cultural and creativity issues. Al Ain Book Fair will also present a selection of products from various fields across literature, thought, poetry, history, photography and a variety of academic and educational books.
The book fair will conclude on October 2.
It will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, and organised by DCT Abu Dhabi.
Abdullah Majed Al Ali, acting executive director of the National Library Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This year marks a significant milestone for Al Ain Book Fair as it’s the 10-year anniversary coinciding with the Year of Zayed. The late founding father was known for supporting education and culture as key pillars in development and human advancement. Al Ain Book Fair aims to provide visitors an opportunity to participate in a vibrant, cultural and creative movement with various engaging programmes.”
Through several specialised seminars, the cultural programme at Al Ain Book Fair will addresses significant aspects of the cultural landscape in the region. Sessions will include: ‘Writing with a Camera Lens’, a seminar featuring Nasser Al Daheri and Mohammad Al Maskari, which will focus on a photographer’s work in narrating a story through photography. Meanwhile, ‘Children’s Literature: The Future of the Writing Generations’, led by Shaikha Mariam Saqr Al Qasimi and Buthaina Sharif, will address the importance of children literature in view of technological developments.
The ‘Emirati Short Story: Forecasting the Future of Narration’ seminar, presented by Emirati novelist Shaima Al Marzouqi, will scrutinise the role of narration in writing short stories, novels, or any Emirati literary genre. The aim of this seminar is to make a creative product that can delve into psychological and societal interactions. Other sessions include ‘Theatre in the UAE’, which will tackle the role of Emirati theatre in shaping customs and traditions.
Through its various activities, the cultural programme also seeks to promote the emergence of the arts.
As such, a selection of musical performances will be presented throughout the fair, such as Melodies from Balochistan, a Russian classical music performance, and Bahar Al Fujairah, a musical recital led by renowned artist Ali Al Hefaiti and group of students from the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy.
Other musical performances include jazz rhythms by My Music Head from Dubai, and Indian music by Mirchi Percussions.
The book fair is open to all visitors daily from 9am to 1pm and from 5pm to 9pm, and on Fridays 5pm to 10pm, at the Al Ain Convention Centre. Entry is free for all.
