Abu Dhabi: China’s culture and Silk Road Project will feature at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) which will be held from April 26 to May 2 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the organising committee announced here on Monday.
Named as the guest of honour at the 27th session of ADIBF, China revealed its extensive programme for the fair, which aims to further promote cultural exchange between China and the UAE.
A delegation of over 200 people including five of China’s best known writers will attend the festival.
In addition to cultural activities, 3,500 titles and more than 5,400 copies of Chinese books will feature at the event. The relaunch of the Silk Road project at the Chinese pavilion will showcase books translated in Arabic and Chinese.
“The Abu Dhabi Book Fair (ADIBF) is an important event which will introduce Arabs and people of different nationalities living in the UAE to the Chinese culture. That is why we are preparing for it so seriously,” Guanglu Xiao, the Chinese representative for the event, told Gulf News.
The UAE was the guest of honour at the Beijing International Book Fair in August 2015, making this the second time that China and the UAE have come together at a large international event.
Xiao said he hoped the event would further promote cultural exchange and people to people communication between the two countries.
Xiao said that Chinese pavilion at the book fair will have reading sessions about contemporary China in Arabic and English. It will showcase Chinese-Arabic translation works, digital publishing in China and comprehensive understanding of Chinese children’s books. He said the Silk Road Book Publishing project, will bring around 300 titles of translated books.
Xiao said the programme will also include live demonstrations including wood block printing and Chinese rice paper preparation.
“I hope it will be interesting for people in this region to know more about ancient Chinese history of printing,” Xiao added.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the 2017 ADIBF will host more than 800 cultural activities, discussions, and seminars. As many as 1,320 exhibitors from 65 countries will take part in the festival.
Mohammed Al Shehhi, Director of Research and Publication, TCA Abu Dhabi, said, “Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2017 is the result of collaboration with Abu Dhabi readers, the publishing world and many scientific and cultural institutions that make the region a major centre of literary and intellectual activity.” He said the main objective of this year’s book fair is to establish Abu Dhabi as a cultural and printing destination. He said the festival will undoubtedly provide visitors with exceptional educational opportunities.
What: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
When: April 26 to May 2
Timing: April 26 11am to 10pm, other days 9am to 10pm, Friday 4pm to 10pm.
Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
