Self-Publisher Initiative Empowers Emirati Families At Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has introduced the "Self-Publisher" initiative at the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. This programme aims to empower Emirati families by encouraging their collective literary contributions. It aligns with the 2025 Year of Community, showcasing the ALC's commitment to promoting Emirati publishers as cultural ambassadors and creators of knowledge.

The initiative highlights family cohesion and empowerment, translating these values into a practical cultural model. Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the Fair, stated, "The family is the nucleus of a knowledge-based society. Through Self-Publisher, we present Emirati families as active creators of culture, not just recipients."

A dedicated booth at the fair featured 13 authors from Emirati families, presenting collaborative works in literature, education, and culture. Among them was Ali Abu Al Reesh, a renowned writer who showcased over 45 titles with his son Hazzaa Abu Al Reesh. Hazzaa also launched new books titled Baynounah and Philosophophobia.

Essa Al Yellili, a 16-year-old author, shared works inspired by real-life experiences with support from his mother Dr Athba Al Mazrouei. Fatima Al Suwaidi, a children's literature specialist, introduced her Occupations of the Ancestors series. Her daughter Noura Al Suwaidi presented English-language children's stories like The Time Machine, creatively exploring UAE history.

The Self-Publisher initiative represents a strategic move by ALC to strengthen community-based publishing models that reflect national identity and encourage intergenerational knowledge sharing. This approach aims to position Emirati families as active participants in cultural creation rather than mere consumers.

Fatima Al Suwaidi expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share experiences with her daughters through this initiative. She noted strong reader engagement and support from organisers. "This initiative allowed me to share a personal and professional experience with my daughters," she said. Some books sold out early on, indicating high demand for local content driven by identity.

This initiative underscores ALC's broader efforts to promote community involvement in publishing while fostering cultural exchange within families. By empowering Emirati families to contribute creatively to literature and culture, it strengthens their role as cultural ambassadors on both local and international stages.

With inputs from WAM