After a few days attending the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, you normally amass a number of colourfully branded bookmarks.
This year, it’s barcodes and QR codes.
There is one for the carpark, another on the ticket for the author session you want to see and, of course, there is one on your Al Hosn App showing results of your negative PCR test taken within 48 hours.
This is what it means to hold a book fair in the age of the pandemic.
Judging from the glinting eyes behind the masks of book sellers, culture lovers and thought leaders, the Abu Dhabi iteration couldn’t have come fast enough.
While the event, running until Saturday, May 29 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), downscaled and adopted a hybrid programme of in-person and digital sessions, the pandemic hasn’t quietened the rumbling hum synonymous with book fairs.
A cross between a marketplace, university and airport, it is common to hear haggling (“yalla, make it Dh10 and we are done”) at the stands blended with discussions about Arabic poetry from the stage and the Adnec sound system informing us of the latest session at the show kitchen at Hall 8.
Do the book fair like Dr Maher
The sense of relief is palpable.
“Last year has been difficult for me,” Maher Sayadi says as he stands beside a ream of Sheikh Zayed biographies at the Motivate Publishing stand.
The Syrian physician says the cancellation of cultural events in 2020 was acutely felt by the capital’s residents.
“Abu Dhabi is all about culture and the arts and we embrace that here. So to have the book fair back for me, and I would argue for many of us who live here, is a sign that things are slowly getting back to normal.”
To underscore that spirit, Sayadi approaches the book fair in the same manner as he has for the past 11 years.
His book shopping tips are worth remembering. “If you are serious, like me, you come here three times,” he says.
“The first day is for scouting around and picking up books you immediately want. Day two, you take your time and try to find books you didn’t find earlier. The last day is for last-minute shopping.”
Such a method nets him a dozen books annually. This year's fair bag already includes an Arabic translation of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace and a biography of 20th-century Lebanese-Palestinian poet May Ziadeh.
Where books matter
Also found strolling across the halls is one of the book fair’s architects.
As the chairman of the Abu Dhabi’s newly established Arabic Language Centre and an acclaimed Emirati poet, Ali bin Tamim recalled the painful decision to scrap the fair last year as a safety precaution against Covid-19.
“It wasn’t an easy decision but we were one of the fairs that postponed last year for the betterment for everyone,” he says.
“It was particularly tough on the booksellers and publishers who rely on book fairs to showcase their work.”
This is what separates a book fair from a literature festival, Tamim says.
“The book fair highlights and celebrates everything about the publishing process,” he says. “From the writing and editing to the production and translation and selling of rights, the Abu Dhabi Book Fair covers all of that.”
He also confirms to The National the fair will expand its coverage with a greater focus on Arabic audio books, with the Arabic Language Centre offering up to 300 grants to regional publishers to stimulate further production.
That spirit of an industry coming together is not only felt behind the scenes but on the stage as well. Such is the richness of the UAE literary scene, the country boasts at least three world renowned events, with the Abu Dhabi Book Fair joined by its Sharjah counterpart and Dubai’s Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature.
Isobel Abulhoul, chief executive of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which runs the Emirates Literature Festival, tells The National that leadership teams from all three festivals maintained close contact throughout the pandemic, as well as appearing and sharing content with each other's events.
“We all appreciate each other and we need to continue working together as people passionate about writing and literature,” she says after moderating a session on digital piracy.
“We all have the same aim and we don’t have a rivalry. The success of any event is shared because we view it as another tick mark in showing the world that the UAE is a place for culture and where books matter.”
The wisdom of a book merchant
The book fair exemplifies that not only through the sheer mass of the hundreds of thousands of books displayed in the stands of more than 800 exhibitors from 40 countries, but also through its eclecticism.
While the majority are Arabic titles, English readers will find a few pearls when looking hard enough.
At the far left hand corner of Hall 8 you will find Al Saqi Books (stand 8105), the influential Lebanese publishing house and London book store, home to translations of key works from late Egyptian pioneers Nawal El Saadawi (Two Women in One and Memoirs of a Women Doctor) and Naguib Mahfouz (The Quarter).
For current literature on the region, you can't go past Blackstone & Holywell (stand 8G41), manned by the irrepressible Idris Mears.
“The relationship between a book merchant and the public is deep. It’s like a doctor recognising what they need and prescribing the right antidote,” he says.
“Giving somebody a book that not only inspires them but broadens their horizons creates an immediate bond. So when I come back to the book fair, it’s not work, it’s like a meeting of friends.”
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair may be smaller than usual this year, but its heart is as big as ever.
More information on the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is available at adbookfair.com
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Read more:
Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2021: US author Tayari Jones reveals how Oprah Winfrey changed her life
Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2021: 14 key sessions to check out in person and online
Everything you need to know ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair: from how to register to vaccine requirements
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The%20specs
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Inas%20Halabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENijmeh%20Hamdan%2C%20Kamal%20Kayouf%2C%20Sheikh%20Najib%20Alou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
