Nihad Sirees used the platform to shed light on the events in Syria and how they have impacted not only his work, but also his personal life since he went into exile in 2012.

He told his audience: “I chose writing as a confrontation. “I believe that a writer should always be the first one to comment on political situations. It is a fact that the Syrian writers who have taken a stand politically were the ones that initiated The Arab Spring in Damascus”.

The atmosphere in the audience was one of rapt attention, with audience members actively participating in the discussion and directing questions at the passionate writer, who explained how there has been a dramatic shift in the content of writers from Syria.

He explained that traditional poetic writing content has become highly charged and politicised in the past two years with the average Syrian no longer worried about reading traditional novels or poetry but wanting creative writing that reflects the state of their country today.

To encourage the widest participation of Arab authors and publishers, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), who has organised ADIBF, has this year decided to waive off the participation fee for all Syrian exhibitors.

ADIBF is open daily from 9am to 10pm every day, except on Friday when it will be open from 4pm to 10pm. Entrance is free.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

H.E. Kwon Tae Kyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE announced that “A Korean Reference Room will be installed in Abu Dhabi’s National Library in 2014 as part of the National Library of Korea’s program “Window on Korea (WOK) “, during his meeting with H.E. Jumaa Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Director of the National Library at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2013 in ADNEC on April 28, 2013.

The program of the National Library of Korea aims to install a new Korean Reference Room in a foreign country every year, and Abu Dhabi’s National Library was chosen for 2014 due to the ever growing cooperation between the two countries.

The National Library of Korea will be responsible of the Installation funding; the Korea-related publications supply, while Abu Dhabi National Library will provide the venue where the books will be installed. It is expected that 1,500 to 3,000 books will be provided in 2014 in addition to bookshelves, computers, reading desks, chairs and information signs. 200 extra books will also be provided every year in the period of 2015-2019.

The National Library has welcomed the Korean National Library’s initiative as part of TCA’s plan to open new branches of the National Library across the emirate of Abu Dhabi in order to spread cultural awareness.

In addition, the Korean Embassy has donated 169 books to the National Library as part of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on April 28, 2013. It is also worth mentioning that two Korean publishers (Kyowon and Bricks Education) participating in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2013 have also decided to donate their books to the National Library.

“Embassy of the Republic of Korea will make every effort to build cooperation between the two national libraries. The Korean Reference Room will be a good opportunity to facilitate Korea-related materials to the Emiratis with ease and convenience.” said H.E. Kwon Tae Kyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

This magnificent exhibit was brought to ADIBF 2013 by specialist Austrian firm INLIBERS who are dedicated to the preservation of ancient manuscripts and exhibits.

The Kiswah of the Kaaba, which still maintains its beautiful condition after 470 years, is a testament to the very best of Islamic Art. It is seen as the highest honour bestowed on any Muslim head of state to provide the cover for the Kaaba which is the focal point of all Muslim prayer for more than 1400 years.

Commenting on their exhibiting of the Kiswa at ADIBF, Mr. Hugo Wetscherek, owner of INLIBERS said: “Our Kiswah is the same in every iconographic detail with a counterpart that can be found at the famous Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Both the name of Sultan Suleiman and the year 950 in the Islamic Calendar are stated in the splendid calligraphy, and the date is confirmed by carbon dating technology.

“The fact that both the name of the Sultan and the date were included in the embroidery makes them a historical document. No earlier example of a Kiswah is recorded and we believe that no Kiswah pre-dating ours is known at all.”

Sultan Suleiman I, or the Magnificent, was one of the most prominent patrons of the Islamic arts and literature at the prime of the Ottoman Empire. He commissioned the best weavers in Turkey at the time to weave this Kiswah. At the time, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent wanted this Kiswah to be a pride for all Muslims and a testament to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire for all the Muslims who undertake a pilgrimage to the Kaaba from all over the world.

ADIBF is the only place where this very rare exhibit has so far been displayed to the public and it proved a highly popular attraction for the tens of thousands of visitors to the Book Fair.  Its presence has reinforced the growing significance of Abu Dhabi as one of the most sought after destinations for Islamic antiquities and arts and a rapidly developing international centre for culture.

ADIBF 2013 has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

This year over 50 speakers participated in 30 separate sessions using the Fair as platform to engender debate and try and build consensus on a wide array of challenges for the future of publishing. Among the most hotly debated issues have been the advance of e-books and the format that children’s publishing – in a region dominated by young people – will have in the future.

This year the size of the e-Zone at ADIBF has doubled – a clear indication of the growth of digital publishing in both the English and increasingly Arabic language as well.  And in a tech-savvy region like the Gulf with 50 per cent of the population under the age of 25 the use of tablets and mobile devices to read and receive information has grown like never before.

But several experts made it clear that the digital era does not necessarily spell the end for traditional printed books – and especially in the area of children’s publications.

John Quattrocchi from US publisher Albert Whitman says: “The publishing world is experiencing a dramatic and exciting transformation. But even with the various digital shifts occurring in adult fiction, children’s print books are still going strong in the United States.”

Meanwhile Iris Schwanck, Director at the Finnish Literature Exchange believes that there is an overall challenge still to get children reading overall and especially boys.  She says: “We are talking nowadays of apps and reading devices together with the more traditional printed books.  Boys read less than girls everywhere and this is a challenge for publishers and authors, teachers and parents alike.”

But it seems the voracious demand in the region for the latest tablet or handheld device is not automatically leading to a corresponding increase in e-publishing for regional companies – especially in the highly lucrative children’s sector.

During one Professional Programme session on “Children’s Apps vs Children’s Books” senior executives from the UAE’s Kalimat publishing house and Al Salwa Publishing House from Jordan explained that they have yet to make a profit from e—publishing.

Tamer Said, Business Development Manager at Kalimat said: “We now have 34 per cent of our books available in digital format but this is accounting for zero per cent of our income.”

The Founder of Al-Salwa, Taghreed Najjar explained that even though they have developed highly appreciated apps for children – they are seeing little in terms of business benefit or revenue.

But Zaidoun Karadeh, Managing Director of Media Plus, who has produced digital content for both companies predicted that Arab consumers need time to get use to paying online with credit cards for digital content and was confident the market will becoming increasingly digital in the future.

The ADIBF 2013 has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is open daily from 9am to 10pm every day until Monday 29^th April.  Entrance is free.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

During a two-hour interactive session the popular Emirati chef demonstrated how to add local herbs and spices to a number of authentic Emirati dishes with the audience delighted to have a chance to taste the flavours and textures of the freshly cooked food.

Through her work with the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and regular television appearances Chef Khulood Atiq has become a committed ambassador to promote, develop and preserve local culture through cooking.  Visitors to the Show Kitchen also had the chance to buy ‘Sarareed’, a beautifully photographed and produced Emirati Cookbook that Khulood has worked on with TDIC.

This year the theme of the Show Kitchen was a strong focus on healthy eating bringing together chefs based in the UAE and other Gulf countries to present a fusion of local Gulf and international cuisine.  These included Fatema Buhairi from Kuwait who has her own cooking show as part of the TV programme Sabah-al-Watan and Mona Hassan who is a Bahraini cookbook author and teacher of culinary arts and prolific author with 16 titles in Arabic to her name already. Celebrity chefs included Mariano Andrés of Dubai’s Seville restaurant, Cyril Calmet and Alexandre from the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi as well as Monique Bassila Zaarour a registered dietician.

Once again the Show Kitchen has proved one of the most popular attractions with the visiting public who were able to learn more about how to prepare a wide variety of cuisine with the added bonus of being able to sample at first hand the delicious tastes prepared in front of them.

The ADIBF 2013 has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is open daily from 9am to 10pm every day until Monday 29^th April.  Entrance is free.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

Arab writers resident in Canada, Italy, France and the UK are among those presenting their books and participating in discussion forums talking about international reach, impact and understanding of  Arabic literature in most cases through the language of their adopted homes or by means of their works being translated from Arabic into the foreign languages.

Physicist Jim Al Khalil is an Iraqi-born British Professor of physics at the University of Surrey where he also holds a chair in the Public Engagement in Science. A prolific author and broadcaster, Professor Al Khalil has written many popular science books that have been translated into 20 languages.  His most recent titles are The Golden Age of Arabic Science and The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Science and he will discuss the enigmas of science in an interactive talk on the Discussion Sofa on Monday 29^th April at 11am.

Algerian novelist Rachid Boujdedra is a prolific and controversial writer who has been hailed as the leader of a new movement of experimental fiction who also took an active part in the Algerian independence movement. He studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and his latest novel Les Figuiers de Barbarie was awarded the Prix du Roman Arabe.  He will participate in a panel celebrating the life and works of Albert Camus on the last day of the Book Fair, Monday 29^th April at 5.45pm on the Discussion Sofa.

Amara Lakhous was born in Algiers in 1970 but since 1995 has called Italy home and writes in both Italian and Arabic winning literary awards in both Italy and Algeria for his second novel “How To Suckle A She-Wolf Without Getting Bitten”. Originally written in Arabic, Amara then rewrote it himself in Italian and it has subsequently been translated into French, English, Dutch, German, Japanese and Spanish.

Poet Fathieth Saudi lives in London but it is the experience of working as a paediatrician in her home nation of Jordan and in Lebanon that are strongly present as themes in her poetic work.  Her work has been published in both English and Arabic including Bint al-nahr in 2011 and Prophetic Children and Daughter of the Thames in 2012.

Born in Beirut and living through nine years of the Lebanese Civil War in the 1990s Rawi Hage has become an award winning writer, visual artist and curator since moving to Canada in 1992. His first book – De Niro’s Game – won numerous awards including the Dublin Literary Award and his second novel Cockroach was a finalist for the Rogers Writers Trust Fiction Prize.  The global nature of his writing has been recognised by his novels having been published in 29 languages to date.

Mr Jumaa Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, said: “We have been committed this year to finding the widest possible pool of celebrated Arabic literary talent to be a part of the ADIBF 2013 line-up. It has been fascinating to have Arab writers with us who are global in their appeal and outreach and are able to share their world view as creative individuals often through Arabic and increasingly the language of their adopted countries.

“There is no doubt that their work can only enhance the growth and growing global reputation for literary talent that emanates from the Arab world.”

The ADIBF 2013 has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is open daily from 9am to 10pm every day until Monday 29^th April.  Entrance is free.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

Excited youngsters have had their minds stimulated in a number of engaging and fascinating ways that have enhanced their creative reading, learned about new discoveries in Scientific Corner, were able to engage their creativity in art and have fun while being educated about the environment and road traffic safety.

Creativity Corner has become a real hot spot for school children at the Fair and is divided into a number of dedicated areas including Scientific Corner; Knowledge Square; Reading, Arts and Crafts, Environment; Be Healthy and Smile and Traffic Awareness.

Dr Najwa Al Hosani,  an Assistant Professor from UAE University, had an audience of schoolgirls spellbound as she showed them easy to follow and understand tips and ideas on how to “Read Creatively”. As she said during her enthusiastic presentation to the students: “When you start to think outside the box you have the potential to be creative geniuses.”

On Sunday 28 April at 11am, Dr Al Hosani will be running another workshop in the Knowledge Square area called “Creator In Our House” where she will discuss how to stimulate creativity in children and the many ways that the human being can demonstrate their creativity.

Young people are also being shown how to have the best smile on their face and get a quick dental check-up and advice on how to keep their teeth strong and healthy every day at the Be Healthy and Smile Corner.

In the reading area youngsters are able to engage with the stories they hear by identifying and playing with toys and other objects and also discover the secrets behind making animated movies for children with Swedish animator Erling Ericsson who will be holding daily workshops throughout the Fair.

Meanwhile every day in the Scientific Corner youngsters are getting the opportunity to find out more about science, mathematics, information technology and literacy in a number of workshops that are aimed at different age groups of children.

Mr Jumaa Abdulla Al Qubaisi, the Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, said: “The Creativity Corner at ADIBF has proved an enormous success and it has been a great joy for everyone to see such enthusiasm, smiles, energy and eagerness to learn from the thousands of children that have already visited the Fair in the first two days.

“There is clearly a real passion for children to get engaged with the world of books and other cultural and educational aspects that are presented to them with fun, humour and great interaction.

“One of our core objectives at the Fair is to stimulate the creativity of children and encourage lifelong reading habits as part of our wider remit to help promote Abu Dhabi as a developing and growing international cultural centre.”

The ADIBF 2013 has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is open daily from 9am to 10pm every day, except on Friday when it will be open from 4pm to 10pm. Entrance is free.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

In addition to the Slam event, only the second ever staged in the UAE, budding poets were also invited to present their original works during an “open mic” session receiving warm applause and appreciation from a standing room only crowd at The Tent venue at ADIBF 2013.

Award-winning poet and hip-hop artist from the USA Dorian Paul, who now teaches in Abu Dhabi, hosted the evening alongside German slam poetry legend Frank Klötgen and 18-year old Palestinian poet Farah Chamma who studies at the Paris-Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi.

Six performers competed in the Slam event – a form of high energy poetic expression where performance and delivery are important as the words themselves.  The Slam concept was born in the US in 1986 and has become increasingly popular around the world as a way to interact with an audience who help to judge individual performances.

The energetic and enthusiastic crowd clapped and cheered each Slam performer in turn as poets tackled a mix of social and personal issues in a highly dynamic and expressive way.

Earlier open mic performers read their own carefully crafted poems in English and Arabic before Frank Klötgen gave his own master class performance in German – demonstrating to the rapt audience how body language, passion, timing and pacing of presentation can enhance the power and impact of the written word.

Commenting on some of the young Arabic talent on display, Frank Klötgen praised the poise and delivery of young local poets, some of whom were performing for the first time in a public space.

The ADIBF 2013 has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is open daily from 9am to 10pm every day, except on Friday when it will be open from 4pm to 10pm. Entrance is free.

To find out more about ADIBF log on to www.adbookfair.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from April 24-29 2013.

About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 24 – 29 April. ADIBF is modelled on international best practices and attracts world class talent each year. ADIBF seamlessly combines business-to-business opportunities for the publishing industry with a rich and diverse cultural consumer programme.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:

Irum Fawad | Marketing and PR Manager

KITAB

ifawad@kitab.ae

Tel: +9712 657 6068 | Mobile: +971 50 446 4361

Ayesha Al Suwaidi

TCA Abu Dhabi| Media Relations Officer

ayesha.alsuwaidi@tcaabudhabi.ae

Tel: +9712-657 6289

Lubna Khorshid

BPG | pr

Tel : + 97156 7343849

lubna@bpgpr.com

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), celebrated as the most important cultural event in the Arab region, hosted the first of  three seminars with Elizabeth Suzanne Kassab, winner of the Development and Building of Nations Award and author of work “Al Fikr Al Arabi Al Mu’aser” (Contemporary Arab Thought). She joined Dr Masoud Daher, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Award on the discussion sofa to chat about her book and what it means to her to win the SZBA and her work on understanding the process of “cultural decolonisation” within the Arab context.

Her work is considered as the first analysis of major trends and thinkers through the application of a comparative perspective that brings the Arab world into conversation with Africa, the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Kassab has been awarded a Fulbright fellowship to work on her research project at the New School University in New York. After which she was a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University for several years and a Visiting Associate Professor at the Yale Center for International and Area Studies in 2006-07. Since 2012 Kassab has been  a Mellon Visiting Professor at the Cogut Center for the Humanities of Brown University in USA.

The interactive seminar gave the opportunity for Dr. Kassab to discuss in depth her motivation for undertaking a  ten year commitment to present the study. In her words, she believes Al Fikr Al Arabi Al Mu’aser only scratches the surface of such a complicated arena, and views her work as an invitation for future scholars and researchers to continue where she has left off by delivering more focused and deeper  insights on cultural critique in contemporary Arab thought.

Dr. Kassab is a self proclaimed “curator” of the modern tradition of modern Arab thought, taking stock of all that was achieved and produced by Arab critical thinkers, so that it doesn’t get lost, so that new generations can get to know their immediate “turath,” be proud of it, learn from it, discuss it, improve on it, own it, transmit it, and critically teach it  to future  generations.

Dr. Kassab also spoke of her appreciation in becoming a  part of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award alumni, and spoke of how Abu Dhabi could easily become a cultural hub for Arab heritage, where Arab scholars can interact directly and not via western congregations.

“The Sheikh Zayed Book Awards is an excellent forum to bring together Arab thinkers and scholars, and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to share my work with others, she said.

Dr. Masoud Daher, who facilitated the seminar, holds a PhD in social history from Sorbonne University, Paris and has been teaching at the Lebanese University since 1973. Appointed as a member of the Council of Scientific Advisory Lebanese University College of Arts and Humanities in 1996 Dr, Daher has participated in more than two hundred Arab and International conferences. He is regularly invited as a visiting professor to the University of Tokyo and Georgetown University in Washington, and has won the award for best Arabic book in the humanities in 2000 from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science. He said: “I am optimistic the Sheikh Zayed Book Awards will continue to grow and get the global coverage it deserves, with a distinct focus on Arab culture.”

Dr Ali Bin Tamim, the Secretary General added: “Elizabeth’s Kassab’s book is characterised by its highly extensive research in modern criticism and the breadth of its scope…we are very proud she joined the Award alumni.”

The  final  seminar will take place throughout the Abu Dhabi Book Fair at the Discussion Sofa at the following times:

ADIBF Dates:  24th – 29th April 2013

Venue:   Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE

Opening Hours:  All days except Friday: 9am – 10pm and Friday: 4pm – 10pm

For more information please contact

Karin Aghadjanian

0506148861

Email karin.aghadjanian@tcaabudhabi.ae

Alternatively contact:

Lesley Fair: Lesley@welikecustard.com

Zak Buttery: Zak@welikecustard.com

It was a couple of days into the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2013, when exhibitors received news that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, had announced the distribution of vouchers worth Dh3 million for students to buy books at the Fair. Vouchers of Dh50 have been distributed in universities and schools and made available to students visiting the Fair.

This announcement follows the ‘Abu Dhabi Reads Campaign’ launched by the Abu Dhabi Education Council earlier this month. A constellation of government and independent organisations have come together to implement this campaign, which aims to reach out to 324,000 students across the emirate.

Such campaigns will undoubtedly bear fruit over a period of time, and only a close monitoring of the campaign will reveal their success. Abu Dhabi has been investing in education and culture consistently in the past few years, with a long-term vision to be a bridge between the Arab countries and rest of the world.  In the same week as the Fair, the Government’s Kalima initiative inaugurated the 2nd Abu Dhabi International Translation Conference. On the Saadiyat Cultural Island, poised to be an impressive hub of art and culture, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened an exhibition entitled ‘Birth of a Museum’ just two days before the Fair started. This exhibition unveils a selection of 130 works, many of them never before seen.

Elsewhere in the world, governments have adopted a variety of strategies to encourage book reading habits among children and youth. The relationship between reading and education being so closely linked, to improve the quality of education, an increased emphasis on book reading becomes imperative. However, creating an infrastructure and atmosphere of cultural activities helps support an environment which will sustain these activities.

The number of young people seen at the Fair this year is an encouraging sign that such campaigns have begun to work. The long-term success will depend on consistent implementation and a qualitative approach towards it.

27 April 2013