Abu Dhabi Book Fair honours Egyptian intellectual Taha Hussein, announced as a central figure for the book fair which is to be held in May

on Jan 31, 2022

Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s President Ali Bin Tamim announced Taha Hussein as a central figure for the Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2022. The centre selected intellectual Taha Hussein in appreciation of his role to enrich Arab Culture and this was mentioned during a press conference at the Cairo International Book Fair.

He respectfully honoured Hussein by speaking words in favour of him and appreciated his efforts in enriching the Arabic library with unrepeatable works that laid the foundations of the Arabic language of arts, literature and science.
He added, “We do not only honor Taha Hussein, but this blessed land (Egypt) whose cultural contribution has has not and will not end.”

Hussein was one of the most influential 20th- century egyptian writers and intellectuals. He was a figurehead for the Egyptian Renaissance and the modernist movement in the Middle East and North Africa. His sobriquet was "The Dean of Arabic Literature". He was nominated for a Nobel prize in literature fourteen times.

He went on with emphasising that the projects and initiatives of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to amalgamate the status of the Arabic language has a motive to achieve the Emirates’ vision which will create a bright future for the Arabic language and further it will commit its presence as a language of science, creativity and knowledge.

Saeed Hamdan, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre added that commemoration of Taha Hussein will not just take place during the exhibition, but it will begin from starting of this month. He further stated that this year’s edition of the Book Fair will be an exceptional one.

Salah Fadl, President of the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo, praised the Abu Dhabi Centre’s selection of Hussein as the central figure for the Book Fair, explaining that this projects the strong relationship between Egypt and the UAE and their keenness to appreciate the two countries’ symbols in various fields of creativity and their culture.

He emphasised that this initiative reflects the loyalty of the Abu Dhabi Centre to one of the builders of Arab culture.