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ABU DHABI / WAM
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has launched the “Self-Publisher” initiative during the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), aiming to empower creative Emirati families and promote collective literary contributions.
Launched in line with the 2025 Year of Community, the initiative reflects the ALC’s mission to position Emirati publishers as cultural ambassadors and knowledge creators.
Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the Fair, said the initiative translates the values of family cohesion, collaboration and empowerment into a practical cultural model. “The family is the nucleus of a knowledge-based society. Through Self-Publisher, we present Emirati families as active creators of culture, not just recipients,” he said.
The dedicated booth at the fair featured 13 participating authors from Emirati families, showcasing collaborative works in literature, education and culture. Among them was renowned writer Ali Abu Al Reesh, who presented over 45 titles alongside his son Hazzaa Abu Al Reesh, including Hazzaa’s newly launched books Baynounah and Philosophophobia.
Sixteen-year-old author Essa Al Yellili also presented works inspired by real-life experiences, supported by his mother Dr Athba Al Mazrouei. Children’s literature specialist Fatima Al Suwaidi introduced her Occupations of the Ancestors series and was joined by her daughter, Noura Al Suwaidi, who presented English-language children’s stories such as The Time Machine, creatively exploring UAE history.
“This initiative allowed me to share a personal and professional experience with my daughters,” said Fatima Al Suwaidi. “It offered meaningful engagement with readers and strong support from organisers. Some of our books sold out in the early days, reflecting strong demand for local, identity-driven content.”
The Self-Publisher initiative marks a strategic step in ALC’s broader effort to strengthen community-based publishing models that reflect national identity and foster intergenerational knowledge sharing.