The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) will present the 7th edition of its Riwaq Al Adab Wal Kitab programme at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 23 to 29, 2022, as part of the 19th edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival, which is themed ‘Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creation, Innovation, and Joy.” By fostering and promoting the achievements of Emirati and Arab creative writers, the project strives to strengthen and support the Emirati publishing industry. This year, the program is teaming with local publishing houses, Dar Nabati, Hamaleel, and the Emirates Writers Union, to publish 14 books by Emirati writers and poets, as well as a fun schedule of events.
“We are proud to partner with the country’s leading publishing houses to present the talent and achievement of Emirati and Arab writers to audiences at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair,” said HE Huda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival. The Riwaq al Adab Wal Kitab initiative, now in its eighth year, fosters creativity by supporting local writers and poets, furthering ADMAF’s commitment to fostering the UAE’s literary environment and safeguarding cultural identity and the Arabic language. The inclusion of a special cultural program, in addition to launching 14 new publications by young writers, represents our commitment to contribute to the nation’s progressive development by offering a forum for fresh ideas.
On the tenth anniversary of his death, the programme will also honor late Emirati poet Ahmad Rashid Thani, one of the most prominent pioneers of Emirati prose poetry, with the signing of an agreement between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and the Emirates Writers Union to publish the legendary poet’s narrative biography. The renowned poet will be honoured at a cultural event called ‘Poems Do Not Die,’ which will include a panel discussion moderated by Palestinian poet and critic Sameh Kawaach that will explore the significance of Thani’s work and his inspiring role as one of the UAE’s most important pioneers of prose poetry. Dr. Youssef, a researcher and critic, will be one of the speakers.
A talk featuring guest speakers Maya Allison, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the NYUAD Art Gallery, and Melissa Gronlund, writer and editor of the Emirati newspaper The National, will highlight the latest Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation publications, Portrait of a Nation II and Art of the Emirates II. Authors of the newly released books will also take part in book signings and panel discussions that will be moderated by Kawaach and will focus on the challenges of publishing in the region, the history of Arabic literature, and the role of literary criticism. Speakers include Dr. Youssef Eid and Dr. Ali Nasr from Lebanon, Faten Hammoudi from Syria, and Muhammad Al-Hamamsi from Egypt.
Kawaach will also lead a workshop with poet Ahmed Al Assim on the “Fundamentals of Creative Writing,” which introduces the necessary literary techniques for writing short— and very short— stories, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as a workshop with writer Dr. Basma Younes on how to develop plots, write narratives, and build characters that stimulate children’s imaginations among various age groups on how to develop plots, write narratives, and build characters that stimulate children’s imagination.