First-time participants at the Al Dhafra Book Festival have praised the event for providing an excellent platform to reach new audiences and engage in a leading intellectual gathering, reports Gulf Today.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the festival has seen significant growth, featuring 100 local and Arab publishing houses showcasing 50,000 titles.
Festival Highlights
Organisation and Activities: The festival, held in the stunning Al Dhafra region, is lauded for its excellent organisation and diverse range of activities. Visitors have shown increasing interest, particularly in educational tools for children such as audiobooks, pottery machines, and talking pens.
Publisher Feedback: Mohammed Bassem Al Shaar of Doroob Al Marefa, and Ehab Al Rifai from New Azbakia Publishing, highlighted the importance of tailoring content to the local audience and praised the festival’s cultural and musical events.
Cultural Exchange and Knowledge Sharing
Adnan Al Hajj of Tanween Publishing and Distribution described the festival as a significant cultural event that fosters knowledge sharing between publishing houses and the public. He noted the festival’s impeccable organisation and the vibrant atmosphere, which have greatly enhanced its appeal.
Popular Authors and Works
Books by Emirati women authors have resonated strongly with festival-goers. Titles such as Honour of Her Memory by Azza Al Kaabi and Room No. 11 by Sumaya Al Marzouqi have been particularly popular. Additionally, Abdullah Salah from Al Ummah Bookshop reported high demand for novels by Emirati author Fateem, including Happy Coincidence and Captivated by Your Love, written in the Emirati dialect.
Previous Editions
The Al Dhafra Book Festival has a history of success, with each edition building on the achievements of the previous ones. The festival has consistently highlighted the creativity of the Al Dhafra region, its heritage, and poets, strengthening the bond between the new generation and the practice of reading. Over the years, the festival has promoted interest in the Arabic language and established itself as a premier cultural event eagerly awaited by people across the region.
Read more at Gulf Today.
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