Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024 Celebrates Global Literature and Creative Industries

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024, set to take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat, will showcase global literature under the theme "Here, the stories of the world are told". The event, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), will be held in conjunction with the third edition of the Ishraqat Festival, a global knowledge festival launched by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

The book fair will feature the Congress PCI, a platform to examine creative business opportunities across regional and international levels. The one-day event on April 28 will include discussions and conversations that bring together experts, business leaders, publishing pioneers, content creators, and creative talents from various domains. Topics covered will include the role of cultural and creative industries as a driver for the economy, the dynamic relationship between literature and film adaptations, and international collaboration opportunities in the Arab-world creative industries.

Why this matters: The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024 serves as a significant platform for encouraging cultural exchange, promoting tolerance, and driving economic growth through the creative industries. By bringing together global literature and diverse perspectives, the event aims to enhance the cultural landscape and strengthen international ties.

The Ishraqat Festival, held in conjunction with the book fair, aims to promote tolerance and coexistence, serving as a platform for content creators and experts from around the world to share their insights. The festival will feature over 50 local and international programs and sessions, with discussions spanning across five languages. The theme "Tolerance is Knowledge" reflects the festival's objective to examine the creative, educational, artistic, and cognitive dimensions of tolerance.

The third edition of the International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries (Congress PCI) will kickstart the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024, with the theme "Technological Transformations in the Publishing Industry and Drivers of Change". The Congress will feature speakers from 50 countries representing various cultural and creative fields, aiming to encourage innovation and cross-sector collaboration within Arabic literature and creative works.

The event will cover a range of vital topics related to the publishing and creative industries, including the role of the cultural and creative sector in driving economic growth, the value of the creator economy, the process of adapting literature into films, storytelling through game adaptations, evolving consumer preferences, encouraging a love for reading in the next generation, and the impact of generative AI on the industry.

In addition to the main discussions, the Congress will include programs to support young talent, such as examining extended reality in storytelling, interactive content creation, screenplay techniques, social media promotion, and establishing professional home studios. It will also provide publishing data insights, facilitate matchmaking sessions with literary and film agents, and host a hackathon focused on leveraging technology and innovation to bolster Arabic learning and creative talent among UAE youth.

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024 and its associated events demonstrate the UAE's commitment to promoting cultural diversity, encouraging creativity, and driving economic growth through the publishing and creative industries. By bringing together global literature, experts, and innovative ideas, the event aims to inspire and enhance the cultural landscape while strengthening international collaboration and understanding.

Key Takeaways

• Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2024 to showcase global literature under "Here, the stories of the world are told".
• Event organized by Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, held with Ishraqat Festival promoting tolerance.
• Congress PCI to examine creative business opportunities, discuss publishing industry transformations.
• Ishraqat Festival aims to promote tolerance, with 50+ programs across 5 languages.
• Event demonstrates UAE's commitment to cultural diversity, creativity, and economic growth through publishing.