LOC22:34
19:34 GMT
ABU DHABI, March 17 (KUNA) -- Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nuhayyan opened the 19th Abu-Dhabi
International Book Fair (ADIBF) on Tuesday.
The opening ceremony of the one-week event which gathers 637 publishers
from 52 countries was attended by senior UAE officials, Arab and foreign
diplomats including Kuwait Ambassador Faisal Al-Mesh'an.
The current session of the annual event features huge participation by
representatives of various countries and different languages which provides an
ample opportunity for the visitors to learn about diversified cultures, Sheikh
Abdullah told reporters.
It aims to increase growth opportunities in the regional publishing sector
and inspire more people to enjoy reading, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development Abdul-Rahman
Muhammad Al-Uwais said this year's fair is characterized by excellent
organization and huge number of participants.
The fair will reinforce Abu Dhabi's status as a publishing hub for the Arab
world, a world-class line-up of acclaimed literary talents and book-lovers
alike, Al-Uwais pointed out.
Kuwait is represented at the fair by the National Council for Culture, Arts
and Letters (NCCAL).
The pavilion of the NCCAL will showcase a chain of outstanding publications
including; the world of knowledge, the world of thought, international
creativities, Al-Funon Magazine. (end)
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