Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2022 to celebrate ‘Dean of Arabic Literature’ Taha Hussein

on May 11, 2022

Abu Dhabi: At this year's Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), Egyptian novelist and thinker Taha Hussein will be honoured as the 'Personality of the Year,' and visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the man recognised as the 'Dean of Arabic Literature.'

Hussein's literary and intellectual accomplishments have reverberated throughout the Arab world five decades after his death, and he continues to have a significant influence. The author, who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 14 times, laid the groundwork for the Arab world's 'enlightenment' in the twentieth century, and his works continue to serve as a foundation from which cultural and intellectual initiatives to advance the Arabic language and literature can be launched.

Taha's impact
“Now entering its third decade of operations, the ADIBF 2022 is proud to honour Taha Hussein with its esteemed Personality of the Year accolade. About 50 years after his passing, the impact of the renowned Egyptian author’s literary output and intellectual contributions still resonate throughout the Arab world, and they remain an invaluable source for scholars and researchers to study the Arabic language and its wealth of knowledge and ideas. As we celebrate this most influential figure, who is fondly known as the Dean of Arabic Literature, we have a prime opportunity to introduce his work to wider audiences, and it is our hope that a new generation of readers will discover and be inspired Hussein’s work, a gateway through which to explore their Arabic heritage, culture, and history,” said Saeed Al Tunaiji, acting executive director of the Arabic Language Centre (ALC) and director of ADIBF.