After more than 40 years, The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to inspire.
The annual literary and publishing industry gathering, which runs until Sunday at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is back with another formidable line-up of speakers and events.
This year’s guest list ranges from bestselling historian Peter Frankopan and UK poet Lemn Sissay to Arab cultural pioneers such as Egyptian composer Omar Khairat and Iraqi poet Ali Jaafar Al Allaq.
When visiting the fair at Adnec, it is easy to forget the humble origins of the event.
Launched in 1981 as the Islamic Book Fair at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, the event was part of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision of developing the country's cultural sector.
According to Emirati film director Nasser Al Dhaheri, who attended the inaugural event as a child, it was a vibrant affair.
“Reflecting on it now you realise how small it was and it all took place in a small space,” he tells The National.
“But I remember there were books from different Arab countries and there was an area to congregate and meet.
“It felt like a wedding and a chance for families and friends to meet in this great atmosphere.”
According to state news agency Wam, the first book fair was attended by 50 publishers from Egypt and Lebanon, in addition to a number of local libraries.
This year's festival, in contrast, features more than 1,130 international publishers and is expected to attract more than 150,000 visitors.
That growth is the result of a studied and steady approach to crafting the fair.
After rebranding itself as “the first book fair in Abu Dhabi”, the event expanded to include more publishers and cultural institutions and returned in 1986 and 1988 before running on an annual basis from 1993.
Such was its growing appeal, the fair moved to the grounds of Adnec in 1994 before moving within the cavernous space upon its formal opening in 2005.
It didn't take long for the extra space to be filled with publishers and organisations, this time hailing from as far afield as Europe, Asia and South America.
The new venue was also ideal to launch supporting initiatives, such as the annual prize-giving ceremony for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and the International Congress for Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries.
The diligence reverberated across the international cultural sector as more big personalities chose Abu Dhabi to make their key regional appearance.
Some of the illustrious names to have taken the stage include the former US secretary of state John Kerry in 2019 to discuss his memoir Every Day is Extra.
Other big names to appear over the years included revered Lebanese-born French novelist Amin Maalouf, Syrian poet Adonis and former US poet laureate Natasha Trethewey.
With its numerous stages and countless books on sale, the dynamism of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair shows the seeds planted by the UAE’s visionary Founding Father continue to bear fruit.
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Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
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