Knowledge without Borders (KwB), the Sharjah-based cultural project that works to promote reading and literature throughout the UAE, has concluded its participation at the 26th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF). Held from April 27 to May 3 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the event saw the participation of 1,260 publishing houses from 63 countries.

A main aspect of KwB’s participation at ADIBF 2016 was its highlighting of the ‘1001 Titles’ initiative, which it launched last February in line with 2016 being declared as the Year of Reading in the UAE. The initiative aims to create home libraries at households across the UAE and to stock them with an array of books suitable for all the family. It also intends to introduce 1,001 new Arabic titles to the market throughout this year and the next.

Disseminating information about 1001 Titles at ADIBF 2016 under the tagline: ‘Nurturing talent to enrich content,’ KwB held a number of introductory and consultative meetings at its pavilion to familiarise publishing houses, authors, intellectuals, writers and other literature stakeholders with the initiative. Throughout the seven days of the festival, Emirati and Arab publishers visited KwB’s pavilion to find out more about 1001 Titles and acquaint themselves with its goals.

“Knowledge without Borders is a keen participant at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair each year, as it recognises that it is the ideal forum to promulgate information about our cultural initiatives that are focused on spreading Emirati and Arab literature. Our presence this year was particularly significant in light of 2016 being established as the year of reading in the UAE,” said Rashid Al Kous, General Manager of KwB.

“Our participation this year also comes three months after our launch of 1001 Titles, through which we aim to publish 1001 Emirati books in 2016 and 2017, as well as establish numerous home libraries across the country. Both components of the 1001 Titles initiative are aimed at enhancing cognitive and intellectual output in the UAE,” he added.

Al Kous continued: "By taking part in this year’s edition of ADIBF we have been able to spread the word about 1001 Titles, highlight its objectives and provide UAE and Arab publishers with criteria for participation. We are delighted with the interaction shown by publishers, intellectuals, writers and other stakeholders attending the exhibition and thank them all for their eagerness in contributing to the success of the initiative, which seeks to elevate awareness and knowledge in the UAE community.”

KwB was launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and is supervised by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of its Organising Committee. The initiative aims to establish reading as a noble habit in every household in the UAE by encouraging the establishment of home libraries and filling these libraries with the best reading material across a variety of genres suitable for the whole family.