The event is taking place across five sites in Al Ain for the first time!
Previously known as the ‘Al Ain Book Fair’, the now revamped Al Ain Book Festival (AABF) is back for its 13th edition.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, announced the launch from 19-25 November.
For the first time ever, the event will take place across five sites in the city, including the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Zayed Central Library, Qasr Al Muwaiji (Muwaiji Fort), Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa, and the UAE University.
This year’s theme is ‘All Eyes on Al Ain’, the city known as the birthplace of the Founding Father of the UAE, the capital’s ‘garden city’, and home to the UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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The festival hopes to refocus on Al Ain’s rich heritage and Emirati culture, nurture a culture of reading, and celebrate the work of Emirati and Arab writers, creatives, and intellectuals, both past and present.
Across the multi-site festival, visitors can expect a huge range of events and activities designed for all tastes and age groups. Scheduled events include panel discussions, live music, shows and performances, seminars, workshops, sports activities, and heritage events to name a few.
The Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium will serve as the hub, hosting a multi-faceted Children and Youth Programme and a dynamic Arts Programme. Additionally, there’s also the all-important Publisher wings – an inspirational showcase of publishing in the Arab world today.
Also slated are 70 performances, including folk and heritage shows, dance and comedy events, and for the main event – Syrian, Dubai-based handpan player Anas Alhalabi.
With at least 49 cultural seminars delving into the specifics of Al Ain heritage and several other exciting events planned, the AABF promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
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