Al Dhafra Book Festival Serves As A Premier Knowledge Platform For Community Engagement And Cultural Exchange

Publishers attending the Al Dhafra Book Festival for the first time, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), found it a valuable opportunity to connect with new audiences. They appreciated the festival's well-organised events and diverse activities, which presented knowledge and culture in an engaging way. The festival maintained authenticity while catering to various tastes.

The fifth edition of the Al Dhafra Book Festival saw a notable increase in participation, with 100 local and Arab publishing houses showcasing 50,000 titles. This growth highlights the festival's expanding influence in the literary community. Publishers praised its ability to engage audiences through modern presentations of cultural content.

Mohammed Bassem Al Shaar from Doroob Al Marefa admired the beauty of Al Dhafra and praised the festival's organisation. He observed that visitor numbers were rising, with locals purchasing educational tools for children. Items like audiobooks, pottery machines, and talking pens were popular choices among attendees.

Ehab Al Rifai from New Azbakia Publishing emphasised the importance of tailoring content to meet local needs. He noted that their participation included rare books, photographs, and vintage magazines such as Majid and Mickey. Visitors also enjoyed old Emirati heritage records by artists like Ali Bin Rogha and Mehad Hamad.

Adnan Al Hajj of Tanween Publishing described the festival as a significant cultural event promoting knowledge exchange between publishers and the public. He commended its flawless organisation and vibrant atmosphere. Tanween showcased various books, with novels by Emirati women authors resonating strongly with attendees.

Al Hajj highlighted popular works like Honour of Her Memory by Azza Al Kaabi and Room No. 11 by Sumaya Al Marzouqi. These novels captured the interest of many visitors at the festival, reflecting a growing appreciation for Emirati literature.

Abdullah Salah from Al Ummah Bookshop shared that their success at previous festivals encouraged them to join this year's event. The demand for novels was high, particularly those by Emirati author Fateem. Her romantic stories, Happy Coincidence and Captivated by Your Love, written in Emirati dialect, were especially popular.

The festival's cultural events played a crucial role in enriching public engagement with reading and learning. These activities motivated attendees to explore diverse literary offerings while enjoying musical performances that enhanced the overall experience.

Al Dhafra Book Festival continues to be a platform for cultural exchange, fostering connections between publishers and audiences. Its success lies in its ability to present authentic content while embracing modern formats that appeal to a wide range of tastes.

With inputs from WAM