Latest news with #AbuDhabiArabicLanguageCentre
Gulf Today
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Saudi Arabia displays cultural transformation at ADIBF
Saudi Arabia is taking part in the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), until May 5, 2025 under the theme, 'Knowledge Illuminates Our Community.' The country's participation underscores its commitment to strengthening its cultural and intellectual presence on both regional and global stages. The Saudi pavilion offers visitors and exhibitors a window into the nation's dynamic transformation in literature, publishing, and translation. Presenting a modern approach to book production, the pavilion features contributions from major cultural and educational institutions, including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, King Fahd National Library, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, King Saud University, Umm Al-Qura University, King Faisal University, and the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex. A diverse range of activities is scheduled within the pavilion, such as workshops, panel discussions, book signings, and a wide selection of publications spanning history, literature, science, and Islamic studies. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Bassam Al-Bassam, General Manager of Publishing at the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, emphasised that this year's participation reflects the deep cultural ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the Kingdom's focus on supporting the publishing industry, fostering literary dialogue, and promoting the role of translation in broadening cultural exchange and enabling joint international distribution. 'We were keen to participate this year with a strong institutional identity by collaborating with key government entities involved in the book industry,' Al-Bassam said. 'We've developed a diverse cultural programme that reflects the Kingdom's heritage and civilisation. The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is a distinguished platform that blends tradition with openness, aligning perfectly with our vision to amplify Saudi presence on the global cultural stage.' Saudi Arabia's participation in the Fair reflects the Kingdom's rapidly evolving cultural landscape, showcasing significant progress in literature, publishing, and translation. It also reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading cultural destination, contributing to global cultural dialogue and the exchange of knowledge. WAM
The National
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
From blogs to book prizes: How a new generation is redefining Arabic literature
A new generation of readers is driving Arabic contemporary fiction – bringing fresh authors and literary styles to the forefront of the regional literary landscape. This was one of the key points raised during Thursday's panel at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair – marking the launch of The National's 50 Most Important Arabic Novels of the 21st Century. The curated list was compiled in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, drawing on the expertise of more than 50 literary figures, including authors, publishers, academics, festival organisers, and prize jurors from across the Mena region. At the session, prominent Egyptian author Mohamed Abu Al Fadl Badran, former secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Culture, was joined by literary critic Haytham Al Haj Ali and Saeed Al Tunaiji, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. Together, they discussed how a growing youth literary culture, combined with the influence of major prizes, is reshaping what readers expect from Arab publishers. They pointed to novels featured in the list as examples of authors gaining prominence, as readers increasingly seek contemporary reflections of Arab society through blurred genres and innovative literary techniques. 'We have a large youth demographic that has imposed the names of new novelists,' Al Badran said. 'And these novelists are brilliantly creative and strategic in combining poetry with love, logic with narration. That's why they gained a large audience.' Online platforms have also played a vital role in bringing new voices to the fore, said Al Haj Ali. He pointed to novels such as 2005's Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea and 2006's Wanna Be a Bride by Mona Al Shammari, both not on The National's list and which were originally serialised online before becoming regional bestsellers and securing foreign translations. Popular Egyptian author Ahmed Mourad, whose psychological thriller The Blue Elephant features in The National's list, also built a loyal readership through his interactive literary discussions on social media. 'That direct line of communication between writer and reader is something new,' he said. 'It shows how a novel can begin in different ways, from a blog post to a series of tweets, before finding print success. This is reshaping the structure and style of the Arabic novel. Regional literary prizes that focus on new works, which often lead to international translations, are also helping modern Arabic literature gain global recognition. Two other novels from the list – The Bamboo Stalk by Kuwait's Saud Alsanousi, which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2013, and No Knives in the Kitchens of This City by late Syrian author Khaled Khalifa, winner of the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 2013 – are examples. 'These prizes, like the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, focus solely on the quality of the work, and as a result, they can bring a previously unknown novelist into global circulation,' Badran said. 'At the same time, for those who are already well known, they can serve as motivation to keep going. I remember when Naguib Mahfouz won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. At the time, only one of his novels – The Harafish – had been translated into German, and everyone rushed to read it. Mahfouz himself said that the award encouraged him to continue writing.' While Arabic novels are being propelled by new platforms, the region's literary criticism has yet to keep pace, according to Badran. 'We have excellent critics, but not schools of critical thought,' he said. 'Each critic operates independently, without a collective vision – and that limits their ability to shape taste or create lasting influence. 'We often borrow Western theories and try to apply them to novels that are rooted in completely different cultural and social contexts. We need home-grown critical tools – tools that speak to our histories, our rhythms, our readers.' Al Tunaiji, from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said the issue points to a broader challenge facing Arabic publishing – the absence of a fully developed professional ecosystem that can elevate the standards of both publishers and translators. He cited the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair's annual masterclasses in editing, translation, and publishing as examples of how the industry is working to close that gap. Such initiatives, he noted, are essential to keeping the Arabic novel vibrant, offering readers a fresh sense of what contemporary literature can achieve – rather than relying on the prestige of the past. 'We need to rethink what we offer and how,' he said. 'The Arab reader gravitates towards specific topics, but it's diversity that attracts them. And this is what all these various initiatives should offer – from book fairs to book compilations like we did with The National. 'It's not just about sales, but about building bridges between East and West, between the older reader and the young. That's what keeps literature alive.' The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is running at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until May 5
Al Etihad
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi showcases top 50 Arabic language novels of 21st Century
2 May 2025 18:16 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) In a dedicated session on its sixth day, t he 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) explored the 50 most important Arabic language novels of the 21st Century, showcasing the evolving literary landscape of the Arab world, and the role of Arab readers in shaping literary appreciation. The session featured contributions from leading critics and Mohammed Abu Al Fadl Badran, Professor and Literary Critic, affirmed the novel's central place in literature and called the reader 'the true hero', emphasising that the act of reading completes the literary experience. He praised the blending of narrative, dialogue, poetry and prose in modern Arabic fiction, and highlighted the role of translation in cultural exchange, citing the global demand for works by Naguib Badran called for authentic storytelling that reflects the Arab experience, urging readers to select narratives that present a genuine regional Haytham Al Haj Ali, Professor of Modern Arabic Literature, said that literary awards play a vital role in motivating writers and nurturing creativity, citing Mahfouz's renewed output following recognition. He noted that many novels from the region convey themes of diaspora, exile and emotional struggle, and stressed that the reader and writer are equally essential to the storytelling Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), commended contributions to Arabic literature and reaffirmed ALC's commitment to globalising Arabic literary output.'We've selected the 50 most important novels of the 21st century to help Arabic literature reach a wider international audience,' he said, also referencing a related initiative showcasing 101 famous Arabic Tunaiji noted that the selection process was rigorous and based on cultural and literary impact, not awards or fame alone. He acknowledged the lack of robust literary criticism in the Arab world as a challenge, saying, 'In other cultures, clear literary standards exist. We need to build similar frameworks in our region.'Organised by ALC under the theme "Knowledge Illuminates Our Community", the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair runs until May 5 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, bringing together global writers, publishers and content creators under five programme themes: Society, Fantasy, Sustainability, Arab Sciences, and Artificial Intelligence.
Al Etihad
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
'Self-Publisher' initiative launched at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025
2 May 2025 16:49 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has launched the Self-Publisher initiative during the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), aiming to empower creative Emirati families and promote collective literary in line with the 2025 Year of Community, the initiative reflects the ALC's mission to position Emirati publishers as cultural ambassadors and knowledge Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the Fair, said the initiative translates the values of family cohesion, collaboration and empowerment into a practical cultural model, 'The family is the nucleus of a knowledge-based society. Through Self-Publisher, we present Emirati families as active creators of culture, not just recipients,' he dedicated booth at the fair featured 13 participating authors from Emirati families, showcasing collaborative works in literature, education and culture. Among them was renowned writer Ali Abu Al Reesh, who presented over 45 titles alongside his son Hazzaa Abu Al Reesh, including Hazzaa's newly launched books Baynounah and Philosophophobia. Sixteen-year-old author Essa Al Yellili also presented works inspired by real-life experiences, supported by his mother Dr Athba Al Mazrouei. Children's literature specialist Fatima Al Suwaidi introduced her Occupations of the Ancestors series and was joined by her daughter, Noura Al Suwaidi, who presented English-language children's stories such as The Time Machine , creatively exploring UAE history. 'This initiative allowed me to share a personal and professional experience with my daughters,' said Fatima Al Suwaidi. 'It offered meaningful engagement with readers and strong support from organisers. Some of our books sold out in the early days, reflecting strong demand for local, identity-driven content.' The Self-Publisher initiative marks a strategic step in ALC's broader effort to strengthen community-based publishing models that reflect national identity and foster intergenerational knowledge sharing. Year of Community Continue full coverage
Mid East Info
30-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Dubai Judicial Institute participates in 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai Judicial Institute participates in the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, scheduled to be held from April 26 to May 5, 2025, to showcase a wide collection of publications, including updated legislations and laws, as well as authored works. The Institute's participation in this prominent book fair, which is one of the leading international cultural and intellectual events organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, underscores its steadfast dedication to promoting legal knowledge within the community. This aligns with the Institute's vision of advancing judicial excellence, upholding the rule of law, and widening access to its diverse collection of legal and judicial publications. The event will thus present an ideal platform for the Institute to actively engage in key cultural events, as well as reach a wide spectrum of legal professionals, readers, and enthusiasts. The selection of work to be showcased includes books and specialised legal research, such as the criminal administrative penalties and their applications in UAE legislation, regulations governing inheritance, criminal protection of privacy and data security in smart cities, and the metaverse and judicial and legislative jurisdictions. Dubai Judicial Institute remains steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional judicial training, with a robust focus on institutional and community-level dissemination of legal knowledge. Being an accredited centre for professional development, the Institute prepares and equips national talent with remarkable skills to shape a career in the judiciary and public prosecution field. Through specialised training programs designed to address future challenges, the Institute strives to advance the capabilities of judicial officials and their support staff, ensuring the highest standards of excellence in the legal field.
