904 exhibitors from 54 countries; 601 Arab Exhibitors
Fair Runs from March 28 to April 2, 2012 at ADNEC
Abu Dhabi, March 21, 2012: The 22nd Annual Abu Dhabi International Book Fair [ADIBF] 2012, organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, will feature 10% more participants than last year. The fair, which will run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from March 28 to April 2, will bring together 904 exhibitors from 54 countries, two thirds of which will come from Arab countries. It will showcase over half a million titles in 33 languages.
Spread across 21,741 square meters, the fair will be packed with cultural and professional activities. This year’s ‘Country of Focus’ is the United Kingdom which will promote the finest in British literature, culture and publishing.
“This year’s growth in participants reflects the advancing positioning of Abu Dhabi as a global arts and culture capital,” commented HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, which organizes the annual event. “This is an unsurpassed opportunity for international publishers and authors to demonstrate their talent to a highly receptive audience and present their latest creative work to an appreciative society.”
“We look forward to a bright future evolving from our commitment to education and culture. This fair underlines that commitment and I am confident of its potential to record year-on-year growth and achieve a leading position among the International Federation of Publishers as one of the biggest events of its kind in the Arab region and Middle East.”
Mr. Jumaa Al-Qubaisi, Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, said: “Welcome to the twenty-second session of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, a fair whose slogan ought to be ‘Your view onto the world of publishing’ for this embodies the role it has come to play in Arabic cultural life as one of the principal centers in the region and worldwide that does not only celebrate the book, but aims to transform this celebration into a grassroots event that gives new life to the book and opens up before it new horizons, whether through publishing practices or through markets and relations between publishers and the people.”
As part of its efforts to reinforce awareness of the book fair, the revamped ADIBF website went live this week. In a unique initiative this year, ADIBF has initiated online registration and payment facilities through its interactive website, which has been a tremendous success across the Arab world. Apart from building awareness, this payment gateway has in fact made the whole registration process seamless.
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2012
In another significant step towards sustainability, all ADIBF collateral is being printed on special recycled paper, making it a truly ‘Green Fair’. Moreover, all giveaway items for the book fair are being produced from recycled paper, fabric and biodegradable material, thus leading the way towards a conscientious and eco-friendly fair.
This year, the ADIBF boasts of a vast array of new initiatives such as Autographs [Tawaqee] sessions, Arab Rights Showcase and DAAD Project, as also regular programmes namely the Cultural Programme, Professional Programme and Creativity Corner.
The Autographs (‘Tawaqee’ in Arabic) sessions are aimed at bringing authors, publishers and readers on a common platform during the fair, an initiative aimed at encouraging more talented authors to write and people to read.
Arab Rights Showcase, one of the new features of 2012 edition, will feature the best in new publications in Arabic for which foreign rights are available.
The DAAD Initiative presents an innovative concept within the activities of a cultural organisation by seeking to remove dividing walls and closing gaps between creative cultural enterprises and various groups of readers. This project introduces a living model of support for writers who receive backing and facilities from the organizers.
As a part of the Cultural Programme, the best of Arab and international authors will come together to hold a diverse and rich mix of panels, talks, debates and book signing sessions.
The Professional Programme will involve a series of panels, matchmakings, talks, roundtables and presentations targeted at assessing the state of today’s book publishing industry and offering insights into international benchmarks and best practices.
ADIBF’s Creativity Corner activities will touch on all the aspects of education from reading, illustration, writing and reading attitudes. It will be divided into several sections dedicated for mathematics, science, computers, artistic expression, reading and traffic awareness, as well as a corner for child education counseling. There will be an enhanced focus on children with special needs within all activities and events.
Illustrators’ Corner is a dedicated exhibition area where illustrators, designers and agencies will introduce their work to fellow publishing professionals as well as the general public. The space will include a seating area for meetings and a screen for show reels.
The fair will open daily from 9am to 10pm, except for Friday when it will be open from 4pm to 10pm.
The 22nd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will run from 28 March – 2 April 2012
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2012
About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
The 22nd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 28 March – 2 April 2012. ADIBF is modelled on international best practice 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 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.
