His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Media Council, officially opened the 25th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2015), organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) running from 7 13 May at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Held under the auspicious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ADIBF 2015 marks its Silver Jubilee by celebrating the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, as this years focus personality. A retrospective pavilion will be dedicated to the life, accomplishments and achievements of Sheikh Zayed, with rare photographs and documentaries offering glimpses into the legacy of such a central figure in the UAEs modern history.

Several Sheikh Zayed contemporaries will be speaking about his thoughts and vision in terms of building the UAE as a State, developing international relations and founding the mass media sector. An extensive programme of open discussions panels will be held throughout the duration of the fair.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed commended the diligent efforts that went into organising the regions fastest-growing book fair, and said: One of the most important cultural events in the country, ADIBF has contributed to shaping awareness of consecutive Emirati generations and reflects the countrys official orientation towards building the individual based on knowledge, science and education, which is the principle that the late Sheikh Zayed had stipulated at an early stage of the UAEs development as a nation. Our wise leadership is still devoted to this principle which balances between providing a decent life and allowing individual access to knowledge. One of the noticeable aspects of ADIBF is that it offers an open space for a wide spectrum of cultural figures from across the world to establish dialogue and exchange ideas, making it an ideal platform for tolerance, acceptance and communication. Typically, these are the values that make the foundation of a culturally diverse Emirati society, added His Highness.

Personally speaking, ADIBF has always been a pre-eminent stop to look for major new publications in politics and literature, the areas of knowledge I am most keenly interested in. Therefore, I made sure that I visited the fair every year since my days as a student at the UAE University. My frequent visits have allowed me to trace the continuous development the fair, its diversity and richness and the earnest efforts of its organisers to make it a highly professional event that attracts publishers from all over the world. Now here we are, celebrating ADIBFs Silver Jubilee, which is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the significant role of knowledge and education in building nations. ADIBF had a modest start in 1981 when the UAE was still an emerging country; however, the fair has become one of the most prestigious book industry fairs in the Middle East, mirroring our beloved UAE which has become a key player on the international arena, concluded His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.

ADIBF 2015 sheds light on the literary production of the Republic of Iceland, the Guest of Honour, through a series of lectures and seminars led by the countrys most influential authors, poets and intellectuals. A special pavilion will also be exhibiting some of the most important scientific and literary publications from this Nordic country with the participation of its most notable publishers.

Meanwhile, more than 600 influential international authors, intellectuals and media experts will discuss a wide variety of Arabic and international cultural scenes, and the professional programme will focus on enabling publishers through several specialised workshops that qualify participants to receive certificates, allowing them to start their own publishing businesses. Furthermore, artistic works will be showcased at the Illustrators Corner which will be dedicated to book covers, book illustrations and animation among other genres.

The largest edition yet in terms of space, ADIBF has grown by 20 percent compared to last year with its total area amounting to 31,962m covering all ADNECs halls and pavilions to accommodate 1,181 publishing houses from 63 countries. ADIBF 2015 will be welcoming 130 new publishers with exhibitors from Croatia, New Zealand, Poland, Colombia and Georgia taking part for the first time.

Commenting on the significance of this years 25th anniversary silver jubilee event, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority said, Since the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, launched its inceptive concept in 1981, ADIBF has matured into a highly-anticipated annual fixture for major Arabic and international publishing houses and a significant meeting place for book industry professionals from authors to publishers, distributors, translators and print companies.

He emphasised he was proud that ADIBF was celebrating the late Sheikh Zayed as the Fairs focus personality through a series of seminars and discussion panels that highlight the elements of his vision and thought.

The late Sheikh Zayed encouraged us to establish a book fair at an early stage in the development of the UAE as a nation - a step that carried a compelling message regarding the future we are living today. Today, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is an essential component of Abu Dhabis identity, he added.