The National Library and Archives participates in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023

with events consistent with the Year of Sustainability and significant recent publications and cultural activities
The National Library and Archives participated in the 32nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center from 22-28 May, 2023, with various cultural events and educational activities at its platform where different groups appreciated, enjoyed and  benefited from the provided services. The NLA publications documenting the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region greatly contributed to acquainting the public with the memory of the nation.
The National Library and Archives participating platform, introduced visitors to its latest books and publications, such as: the (Maritime Diaries), (Julfar and the North Coast in Portuguese Documents), (From Qasr Al Hosn to Qasr Al Watan: Art and Architecture) and (Coins Trade in the Arabian Gulf West Coast Emirates between 1929-1949) among other first edition books, books that have been translated into modern or living languages, and periodicals issued by the National Library and Archives, including the recent periodically issued Liwa Academic refereed Journal.
His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: "The National Library and Archives’ keen and active annual participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair constitutes a key cultural activity and event, in line with its objectives aiming at serving the community and disseminating cultural information, promoting public awareness about the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region, and the leading role and great interest of the NLA in collecting and preserving the memory of the nation for future generations, in addition to other services provided within an integrated program including various specialized lectures and workshops.
H.E. added: the National Library and Archives enriched its platform with its recent publications which complement and enhance the memory of the nation documented in its earlier publications. The National Library and Archives platform hosts cultural events and activities of interest to its visitors, book-fair participants and all segments of society, during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
 This year, the National Library and Archives announced to its audience and invited them to the International Council on Archives (ICA), which is a major archival event that will be held in Abu Dhabi from 9-13 October, 2023, under the slogan: “Enriching Knowledge Societies”, which themes are consistent with the approach adopted by the leadership of the UAE, the tolerance and human coexistence oasis and role model.
The platform reflects the National Library and Archives’ interest in the Youth Council, and its keenness to provide a friendly stimulating environment for youth’s innovative and developmental ideas, to develop their leadership capabilities, and enhance their role in promoting archival culture.
The rich platform illustrates the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive continuous and successive development, and offered services including virtual exhibitions, and thousands of important displayed historical documents on the history of the UAE and the Gulf. This website’s rich historical content constitutes a significant source of academic and research studies, and its services are provided free of charge. It documents the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s achievements, especially since 1946, or the early days of his assumption of his duties as Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain, and chronicles his genius and relentless efforts along with his fellow Rulers of the Emirates, which eventually led to the establishment of the UAE and its unparalleled progress and development.
In line with its strategy, the National Library and Archives presented to visitors through its stand and the Book-fair main stage three lectures highlighting archival sources and their role in historical knowledge sustainability, and sustainability of  the founding builder’s approach. These and other lectures come in line with the current edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair’s focus on sustainability concept.
Throughout the Book-fair, the National Library and Archives platform hosted educational programs that reflected its keen interest in youth and future generations, in promoting the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership, and instilling civic education and national identity in them.
The program included over 35 fun, useful and informative children workshops including: "Let's Create", "Let's Read", "Let's Learn", "Let's Sing", "Let's Play", "Let's Remember", "Let's Color", etc....
Each workshop had its own themes and methods which attracted the exhibition’s visiting children. In this context, the National Library and Archives delivered 20 virtual workshops, and over 20 other workshops for school students.
The National Library and Archives platform provides visitors access to its digital pages and stories on the Google Arts and Culture platform, highlighting the UAE historical castles and forts, and the story of the "Memory of the  Nation" exhibition in which the National Library and Archives participated  at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival, and the story of the establishment of the UAE and its progress and development at the hands of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his fellow Rulers of the Emirates, etc.

Photo captions:
1- The National Library and Archives participates in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023
2- National Library and Archives stand at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023
3- The National Library and Archives