Reading is key to development of knowledge transfer in region

Abu Dhabi / WAM

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, the 28th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), was officially inaugurated on Wednesday by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), and will continue until May 1.
Sheikh Abdullah, toured the fair with Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, and Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Department of Education and Knowledge, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and a number of officials and ambassadors to the UAE.
Sheikh Abdullah began his tour at the Polish Pavilion, which marks the first time that Poland participates in such an event, and introduces audiences to the 1,000-year history of Polish literature. He commented on the importance of recognising a country of honour each year, and the opportunity it offers to strengthen ties between two nations. He championed Poland’s efforts in the promotion and preservation of their unique cultural heritage.
The tour continued to the Saudi pavilion where Sheikh Abdullah listened to a detailed overview of KSA’s participation in ADIBF and in the promotion of children’s books and university-level publications.
Sheikh Abdullah visited the pavilion of Abu Dhabi Media Company, where he stressed the importance of the participation of media institutions in the UAE in this unique cultural event, and the important role of national media in conveying the message of tolerance, moderation and understanding.
The tour then continued to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) pavilion where they perused the latest publications and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award display. Sheikh Abdullah praised DCT Abu Dhabi for their efforts to establish the Emirate as a beacon of culture and the integral role they have played in the promotion of reading, which is an essential contributor to the development of knowledge transfer in the region.
Sheikh Abdullah visited the pavilion of the Family Development Foundation where he met with Mariam Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Director General of the Foundation, who provided a detailed explanation of the Foundation’s efforts in building a healthy individual and a conscious society and the initiatives offered by the Foundation at ADIBF.
The tour then continued to the pavilion of the National Archives where Sheikh Abdullah viewed archival images and publications documenting the history of the UAE.
Sheikh Abdullah visited the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO) pavilion where he was received by Hisham Al-Wahidi, of the Foundation, who is also a person of determination, as well as the olympic athlete Sara Al-Sanani, from the Abu Dhabi Club for Special Needs, and Mohammed Al-Naqbi, one of the students of the Foundation’s Department of workshops and vocational rehabilitation.
ADIBF is hosting 1,350 exhibitors from 63 countries covering 35,000 square metres, while exhibiting more than 500,000 books in more than 35 languages from around the world. An extensive cultural public programme, over 830 seminars, workshops and more will be held with authors and publishing experts from around the globe during the week-long fair.