emirates7 - The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) has once again underscored the Arabic language’s central role in fostering knowledge production and cultural dialogue, highlighting various initiatives aimed at preserving civilisational heritage and celebrating intellectual contributions.
A key highlight is the “Kalima” project, an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), which has significantly expanded translation efforts across the Arab world and enhanced the global visibility of Arabic culture.
Since its inception in 2007, Kalima has translated more than 1,300 titles from 24 languages, spanning over 10 fields of knowledge. This has been accomplished through partnerships with 800 translators and leading international publishers.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of ADIBF, described Kalima as a crucial instrument for intercultural exchange. He highlighted the centre’s broader mission to advance translation, preserve cultural narratives, and spotlight authors from both the Arab region and the wider world.
Al Tunaiji reiterated the centre’s commitment to global publishing and nurturing creative talent, noting that the book fair has solidified its standing as a premier international cultural forum.
Kalima’s mission is to rejuvenate the Arab translation movement and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural development, reinforcing the city’s role as a regional and global centre for intellectual and scientific advancement.
With a focus on quality, Kalima employs expert teams to ensure excellence in its selection and translation practices, delivering Arabic versions of influential global works and enriching the language with diverse insights.
Among the translated works are notable literary texts, including writings on Nobel Prize winners, aimed at expanding the Arabic literary canon and introducing readers to global ideas and creativity.
At this year’s ADIBF, the ALC is showcasing new publications from Kalima and other projects such as Isdarat and the Research Grants Programme. Featured Kalima titles include *A Certain Idea of France: The Life of Charles de Gaulle*, *The Boy from Baghdad*, and *The Journeys of Discovery*.
The centre also paid tribute to six long-established Arab publishing houses, acknowledging their combined 520 years of service to the industry through the inaugural stage of the “Honouring the Creators of Arab Publishing” initiative.
As part of the 34th edition of the fair, the ALC is organizing more than 2,000 cultural engagements, including 1,700 creative activities under a new community campaign designed to encourage sustainable reading habits.
A key highlight is the “Kalima” project, an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), which has significantly expanded translation efforts across the Arab world and enhanced the global visibility of Arabic culture.
Since its inception in 2007, Kalima has translated more than 1,300 titles from 24 languages, spanning over 10 fields of knowledge. This has been accomplished through partnerships with 800 translators and leading international publishers.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of ADIBF, described Kalima as a crucial instrument for intercultural exchange. He highlighted the centre’s broader mission to advance translation, preserve cultural narratives, and spotlight authors from both the Arab region and the wider world.
Al Tunaiji reiterated the centre’s commitment to global publishing and nurturing creative talent, noting that the book fair has solidified its standing as a premier international cultural forum.
Kalima’s mission is to rejuvenate the Arab translation movement and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural development, reinforcing the city’s role as a regional and global centre for intellectual and scientific advancement.
With a focus on quality, Kalima employs expert teams to ensure excellence in its selection and translation practices, delivering Arabic versions of influential global works and enriching the language with diverse insights.
Among the translated works are notable literary texts, including writings on Nobel Prize winners, aimed at expanding the Arabic literary canon and introducing readers to global ideas and creativity.
At this year’s ADIBF, the ALC is showcasing new publications from Kalima and other projects such as Isdarat and the Research Grants Programme. Featured Kalima titles include *A Certain Idea of France: The Life of Charles de Gaulle*, *The Boy from Baghdad*, and *The Journeys of Discovery*.
The centre also paid tribute to six long-established Arab publishing houses, acknowledging their combined 520 years of service to the industry through the inaugural stage of the “Honouring the Creators of Arab Publishing” initiative.
As part of the 34th edition of the fair, the ALC is organizing more than 2,000 cultural engagements, including 1,700 creative activities under a new community campaign designed to encourage sustainable reading habits.