Abu Dhabi International Book Fair: A convergence of art and culture
27 Apr 2025 23:46
Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi)Greeted with the soft sound of live piano and the gentle aroma of sizzling vegetables, visitors to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Sunday received much more than literary offerings.With more than 2,000 events, the Abu Dhabi book fair is an annual celebration of the emirate's dedication to fostering art and culture and inspiring the next generation of talent. While the focus is on sharing and exhibiting literary works from across the world, the fair offers much more.On Sunday, actor, producer and author Mena Masoud gave guests a culinary course on the sidelines of the book fair. During a live cooking session, he took the crowd on a journey through a diverse range of Arabian-inspired vegetarian cuisines.Across the packed hall at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), a group of children from the UAE and China were receiving rewards for their participation in the 'China in the eyes of the UAE' programme. The programme designed as a cultural exchange initiative saw children learn about the elaborate world of Chinese linguistic characters and exchange ideas about their respective cultures.Meanwhile at the Abu Dhabi Media Network stand, children sat and watched Majid TV while their parents browsed through sections of historic newspapers and archival materials nearby. These included works by renowned polymath Ibn Sina and old cartographic maps and copies of the Quran and holy texts.Assem Ayoub, a resident artist, sat quietly, painting a portrait of a man wearing traditional Emirati clothing while guests learned about the upcoming Zayed National Museum and the legacy of the UAE and its founding fathers.
Running until May 5, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is set to be a highlight on the capital's calendar as the many events of the week get underway.
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