I love book-fairs! Well, I work for one so I guess I have a bias here. But seriously, if one frequents book-fairs there is certain emotional bonding one feels to the stacks of books on shelves across huge halls that call out to you. What is even more thrilling is the breakfast room in whatever hotel you might be and bumping into friends from all over the world.
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is even more special in that sense for it happens a time when the weather here is perfect, people are having a great mood! The last few days of the fair I have bumped into some old friends, made some new ones, heard some interesting discussions and seen some rather happy faces of publishers busy signing deals, networking and partying.
There is something magical about this place where you don’t encounter the madness of millions of people milling about; where you can grab a cup of coffee and talk about that book a bit longer than usual; where you discuss issues of urgency with more time and patience!
There is something for everyone. With school kids running about the creativity corner, with women browsing the long aisles and men finally picking that book that they should have read. The business goes on as usual but in dedicated spaces, giving the fair a healthy mix of culture and commerce.
Today, we went to the Dhow cruise which the Book Fair people had organised for the invited guests and it was wonderful to share views and experiences. Everyone was delighted to celebrate books!
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