Abu Dhabi, UAE – 30 April 2024 – The opening session of the 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2024) included the launch of the Guest of Honour programme, which this year focuses on Egypt, the first Arab country to be selected as Guest of Honour in the history of the Fair, in recognition of its literary, cultural, and artistic impact in the Arab world.
The event was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Neveen Al-Kilani, Egypt’s Minister of Culture; H.E. Dr. Sharif Mahmoud Eissa, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UAE; H.E. Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation; H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC); Ayesha Eid AlMazrouei, Director of the ALC’s Book Fairs and Events Department; and Dr. Ahmed Bahi El Din, Chairman of the Egyptian General Book Authority.
“The selection of Egypt as the Guest of Honour for the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and Naguib Mahfouz as its Focus Personality, underscores the depth of the relations between Egypt and the UAE,” said H.E. Dr. Neveen Al-Kilani, asserting the Ministry’s keenness to participate in the Fair to showcase Egypt’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
The sentiment was echoed by H.E. Dr. Sharif Mahmoud Eissa, who expressed his delight at what he described as the grand cultural celebration marking the Fair’s existence and evolution, leading up to this year’s edition, where Egypt is selected as Guest of Honour, while Naguib Mahfouz is celebrated as the Fair’s Focus Personality. H.E. thanked the UAE for the unique presentation of Egypt at the Book Fair, which reflects its history and cultural status, praising the friendship that binds the leaders and peoples of the two countries.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Bahi El Din stated that: “Egypt’s participation as the Guest of Honour is a significant milestone in Arab culture, reflecting the love and responsibility that characterise the relationship between Egypt and the UAE, enabling their joint efforts in the era of major transformations.”
On the same note, H.E. Mohammed Al Murr asserted that Egypt has always been the leading guest representing Arab culture in all exhibitions held in the UAE, recalling the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, who long emphasised Egypt’s historical, political, and cultural role.
“Sheikh Zayed always spoke highly of Egypt, stating that there would be no glory or progress for the Arabs if it weren’t for Egypt,” H.E. Al Murr said. “And this remains true for Emiratis and their wise leadership today. We are proud of Egypt’s presence as Guest of Honour at this year’s Fair, and recognise that the Arab world has been looking to Cairo for centuries as the capital of Arab culture.”
Meanwhile, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim expressed his delight at Egypt being the Fair’s Guest of Honour and at the selection of Naguib Mahfouz as the Focus Personality, marking the first time both programmes focus on the same country.
“The selection of Egypt as Guest of Honour for the 33rd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, marking the first time an Arab country is selected for the programme, is a tribute to Egypt’s historic role on all levels,” H.E. bin Tamim said, stressing that Egypt has always been present and influential with its writers and publishers since the first edition of the Fair, inaugurated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who considered Egypt to be the heart of Arab culture.
The Arab Republic of Egypt, as the Guest of Honour at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, participates with a rich cultural programme that reflects its historic intellectual and civilisational role. This highlights the deep fraternal relations between the UAE and Egypt, underscoring the ALC’s commitment to enhancing cultural and intellectual cooperation. Egypt has always been a hub for science, knowledge, culture, and arts, influencing the cultures and intellectual repertoire of nations with creative content in various fields.
