Abu Dhabi:AUB Press, the publishing house of the American University of Beirut (AUB), recently participated in the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair at the ADNEC Centre and the fifth Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Both events were organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and sponsored by Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the AUB Press participation was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Chair for Arabic and Islamic Studies at AUB, highlighting an ongoing collaboration between AUB and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. At the book fair, the AUB Press team showcased their catalog in Arabic and English, engaged in panels on scholarly publishing, translation, and the future of the Arabic book, and sold titles to readers and industry professionals.
The book fair, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, featured 1,200 exhibitors from 95 countries and hosted around 1,500 events. Its theme, "Turn the Page, Read the World," focused on the contributions of al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, an influential eighth-century scholar.
Yasmine El Hajjar, AUB Press Publishing Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the participation, noting the opportunity to engage with a diverse community of readers and explore collaborations in Arabic publishing. The fair also allowed young creatives to connect with industry leaders.
Following the book fair, AUB faculty and students attended the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries, which examined Arabic as a foundation for identity, knowledge, and economic power in the digital age. The event featured discussions on various topics including intellectual property and platform sovereignty, involving policymakers, publishers, and scholars.
Additionally, the AUB Press team and students witnessed a Guinness World Records achievement by the Kalima Reading Club for the largest number of nationalities in a book club session, held at the Zayed National Museum. Professor Bilal Orfali participated in the session, discussing the significance of the Arabic Majnun Layla story.
The ongoing collaboration between AUB and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre aims to further explore publishing, translation, and the teaching of Arabic, with future events planned in Beirut and Abu Dhabi. Professor Orfali highlighted the importance of viewing Arabic as an infrastructure supporting various industries, emphasizing the language's role in the economy and job market.
