Potpourri of cultures and literatures

Ritika Sharma / Emirates Business

From China to Poland and from Italy to Kuwait, the world literature has come on one common platform at 26th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which enters its last day on Tuesday. With 63 countries participating, the event brings together a unique experience for literature lovers from all walks and ages.
Hosting nearly 1,260 exhibitors and 600 authors, the ADIBF has cemented its position as one of the most prominent cultural events specialising in books, reading and knowledge in the Emirates.
Mohammed Al Shehhi, the TCA spokesperson for ADIBF, said, “The 26th ADIBF has brought thousands of readers together and furthered the vision and objectives of the UAE’s ongoing Year of Reading 2016 initiative.”
“There are several marked novelties and innovations in this year’s event, including, Ibn Rushd as the ‘Personality of the Year’, Italy as the ‘Guest of Honour’, an increase in the total number of exhibitors to 1,260; 79 more than the previous year; an increase in the total exhibition space to 31,962 square-metres; 10 percent more than the previous year; and an increase in the expected ADIBF visitor attendance to 300,000; up from the previous year’s 269,680,” he added.
Furthermore, in 2016, ADIBF celebrates the UAE’s “Year of Reading,” as declared by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Pankaj Chaturvedi, Assistant Editor, National Book Trust, India, one of the prominent exhibitors, told Emirates Business, “This event is an evidence to the fact that UAE has rich history. Here women, children, students and writers – all sorts of people are interested in books and this is a sign of having immense values within the nation’s culture. It is a good experience to come here. ADIBF is much more than just a book fair, it is a blend of knowledge which is being transferred to generations.”
Jana Kowollik, Project Manager at Leipziger Messe Internations, a representative at Germany pavilion, told Emirates Business, that the event helped to know the cultures better as literatures are the window to ideologies of respective nations.
“There are many book fairs held across the world but not most of them are like ADIBF. It is an experience to cherish. I think it is an important place to come for children and students, as it is through literature that we understand each other. I have seen children coming to our pavilion and asking about the books. It is probably the best way of knowing different cultures,” said Kowollik.
Suggesting that there is a need of involving more children into active buying process in the fair, Mohammed MK, representing Kul Shee Bookshop, a company based in Palestine, told Emirates Business, “I feel there should be more provisions to make kids choose their books and buy them. This fair has a huge variety of children books, from storybooks to comics.”