.. from the reports section.
ABU DHABI, May 27 / WAM / The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has chosen a pivotal figure around whom part of the cultural program accompanying the exhibition is focused, according to an approach that allows the celebration of Arab and international personalities who influence the fields of culture, literature and knowledge.
This comes to complement Abu Dhabi’s pioneering role in honoring creators, intellectuals, scholars and influencers in various fields through a series of awards and honors, which have become a qualitative addition to the path of recipients.
Over the past years, the exhibition celebrated a constellation of figures that made a difference in the cultural scene at the local and global levels, led by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – may his soul rest in peace – as he lit the first candle for the book industry, authorship and promotion of culture in the country and propelled his deep belief in science and knowledge And the culture of the UAE ranks among the developed countries.
The list of pivotal figures chosen by the exhibition over the past years included the great poet Abu Al-Tayeb Al-Mutanabbi, the Emirati poet Aousha Al-Suwaidi “The Girl of the Arabs”, the philosopher Muhyiddin bin Arabi, the philosopher Ibn Rushd, and the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
A number of Emirati and Arab writers and writers emphasized in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the celebration of distinguished literary and cultural figures in the exhibition reflects the great interest of the UAE in human culture in general, and in Arabic in particular, which is consistent with the nature of the role and position it occupies as a global center for tolerance, dialogue of cultures and diversity. intellectual.
The poet and novelist Ali Abu Al-Rish said that the pivotal figures chosen by the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in its previous sessions represent the model and role model in intellectual and literary giving throughout history, and they were and still are at the forefront of the enlightenment scene thanks to their contributions and creativity that transcend time.
Abu Al-Rish added that focusing on a pivotal figure in each session of the exhibition contains multiple messages, the first of which is to express respect and appreciation for these great people who have enriched the history of humanity with their giving and creativity, and the second is to preserve the cultural, intellectual and scientific links between the current generation and all the civilizational and cultural flags and symbols that have passed in The history of mankind, and the third is an affirmation of the UAE’s pride in the human civilization balance in its various forms and its insistence on completing the contributions of Arabs in the march of human knowledge.
In turn, the Tunisian writer and poet Dr. Salah Al-Din Al-Hammadi praised the idea, which has become one of the distinguished features of the exhibition, which reflects the extent of loyalty and appreciation for the important impact these creators left on Arab and international cultures and human civilization.
Al Hammadi said that the organizers of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair wanted, through this annual initiative, to confirm that the fair represents a symbol of authentic literature and culture by carrying the glory of the beautiful cultural past to the new generation to interact positively with it, and to urge them to continue the scientific and literary journey that was written by the early pioneers and spread the message of The science and knowledge that they vow themselves to.
For his part, the Sudanese poet Omar Ahmed Kaddour said that communication between generations is important in the production of knowledge, so that efforts are integrated, the threads of knowledge continue, and the younger generations begin their journey from where the others stopped. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is part of this required communication between knowledge-producing generations.
Kaddour praised the idea of choosing a pivotal cultural figure for the exhibition each year, which he wished to spread to all major cultural events and activities in the Arab world, stressing that the UAE has always been the first to offer pioneering initiatives that benefit all of humanity.
The 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair celebrates the Dean of Arabic Literature, Taha Hussein, who was chosen as the central figure of the fair. To continue the cultural and cognitive efforts that push towards consolidating the status of Arabic literature and language.