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Abu Dhabi /Â WAM
The 27th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), concluded on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi after attracting more than 300,000 visitors of all ages and nationalities and catering to avid readers of poetry and literature.
Throughout the week, the book fair saw participation from 1,320 exhibitors representing 65 countries. In addition, ADIBF hosted more than 900 seminars and discussions, with high attendance from local and international thought leaders and intellectuals.
The fair, organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, (TCA Abu Dhabi), was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Commenting on the tremendous success of this year’s fair, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of TCA Abu Dhabi, said, “ADIBF has grown into a globally acclaimed event welcoming thought leaders from across the region and around the world. The success of the fair is driven by the unprecedented levels of intellectual and cultural momentum that highlight the prestigious position Abu Dhabi holds as a leading international hub for literature.”
“This year witnessed a celebration of China as the Guest of Honour, highlighting the close ties between China and the UAE, and paving the way to future cultural collaboration by means of the 300 events China has held during the fair. This is a precursor to new levels of cooperation between the two countries,” he added.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director-General of TCA Abu Dhabi, praised the support and dedicated efforts of the sponsors and supporting entities that spared no effort to ensure the unparalleled success of this year’s event.
Ghobash said, “The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has become an iconic event. It is a key element in the cultural agenda that is helping transform Abu Dhabi into one of the leading capitals of culture and literature. The fair was supported by a great many rich and intellectually stimulating activities, including more than 900 workshops, seminars, and panel discussions. The 2017 edition of the fair was also unique for the wide array of topics covered by the books on display this year. He added that over 500 partnership agreements between publishing houses and writers took place throughout the course of the fair, out of which a significant number were signed with China.
An agreement to establish the first Emirati-Chinese publishing house was signed between Dr Fatima Hamad Al Mazrouei, on behalf of the UAE, and InterContinental Publishing from China. The agreement confirmed the vital role of ADIBF as a platform for fostering channels of cultural interaction and exchange, Ghobash said.