Officials from the newly added publishing houses: ‘The festival is a window for creativity and a bridge to connect with readers’
The 15th edition of Al Ain Book Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has seen a remarkable increase in the number of participants, with a total of 25 publishing houses taking part for the first time, solidifying the festival’s position as a leading event in the UAE’s cultural scene.
Officials from publishing houses participating for the first time emphasised the festival’s exceptional role in supporting Emirati writers, promoting their publications, and advancing the creative industries in the country, describing it as a window for creativity and a bridge to connect with readers.
On that note, Mohammed Hassan, Director of Maharat Publishers, a company specialising in meaningful children’s books, said: “Al Ain Book Festival provides a unique opportunity to engage with a new audience and introduce our publications, which focus on educational and entertainment values. We greatly appreciate the efforts of those behind this event, which offers an ideal platform to strengthen our connection with readers and open new horizons for growth and outreach.”
For her part, Israa Al Rayes, Director of Al Rayes Publishing, Distribution, and Translation, expressed her pride in the company’s first participation in Al Ain Book Festival, saying: “We are proud to be part of the festival and see it as an opportunity to highlight the diversity of our publications, which cover various cultural and scientific fields, while being committed to fostering interaction between authors and readers.”
Meanwhile, Rania Bashar, Director of Excel Pixels for Publishing and Distribution, stated: “We appreciate the key role the festival plays in introducing our publications to the public, especially as we present distinctive educational content with books that blend local spirit with global standards, such as our American-standard math book with elements of Emirati heritage, and the Life Skills curriculum for children, which focuses on creative thinking and social responsibility.”
On the same note, Alaa Ahmed, Director of Treeganta Publishing and Distribution, described participating in the festival as an experience full of creativity. “The event offers a platform that brings tradition and innovation together, providing creative publishing houses with a unique opportunity to present their projects and publications, interact with their audience, and engage in meaningful discussion,” he explained, emphasising that the festival’s ability to attract such a diverse audience enriches both the Emirati and Arab cultural landscapes.
Mohammed Zaidan, Administrative Manager at Al Ain University, asserted that participating in the most prominent cultural event in Al Ain helps strengthen communication with various segments of the community, highlights the university’s academic and literary activity, and reflects the quality of its research and academic efforts. Zaidan went on to reveal that the university is displaying a diverse collection of books at the festival, authored by its professors and published by Al Ain University Publishing House.
Meanwhile, Bassem Salim from Scroll Education Books, a platform offering educational books for children in English, said: “We decided to participate in Al Ain Book Festival given its role as a leading event that celebrates authors and promotes the cultural and civilisational value of reading.”
“Our company’s participation reflects its commitment to spreading knowledge and providing top-notch educational and cultural content that meets readers’ expectations,” he added. “The festival offers an ideal opportunity for direct interaction between the publishing house and the public, enhancing our role in enriching the cultural scene in the UAE and the region.”
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