![A children's play area has been set up at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKXDFWM2GFFIHOS6USIT72MIQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae6351103b2df6f6e05fd80fd9c3ab75fe9e30d18baa4cfc046d9c73cae4322&width=400&height=225)
![Taking place until September 30, Al Ain Book Fair brings together more than 100 local publishing houses. All photos: Al Ain Book Fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSNOMTJYAJAPRJTP72AA5YXP7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b848a38d92735cd1f7a4dcf45f72827a041b3479e08038ca294c4c0d487dcb90&width=400&height=225)
![To attend the Al Ain Book Fair, an electronic access card must be obtained, either through the website or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair smartphone app](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEQTUY3MVBDQRJHDCOX67LR2ZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6178cc0c210f0f54da9271062249b290b929d35f8ecc36be99ec00cdd9e1c0aa&width=400&height=225)
![Stringent coronavirus-related measures have been implemented in the exhibition space](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YQWX3GF7RCSVISCIOLLRNCLYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4639943be1bda6ac80e11fe968b4fa3b0cb0143eacfdb1dce6e2dcc203a8944a&width=400&height=225)
![Visitor numbers inside the exhibition halls and pavilions are limited to avoid overcrowding](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UOYAE45WVJCOXJCV3NQ4ELESHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfcede121c4e97aef228a9ced5b10c2bfa70f514190c5ad58fd56a642b9f4a5a&width=400&height=225)
![Palm-sized art for sale at the illustrators' corner at Al Ain Book Fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI73ZCMA6NDHLB72RENM2QMVZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d0f42536c3f3e6901ffa18fd9005cd430dd5b6b9a82b5b9279988a249950aa8&width=400&height=225)
![The 12th iteration of Al Ain Book Fair is being held at a new sprawling location in the shadow of the Zayed Central Library](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ND6CKZGX3NCY5CIGXI3VO3JW6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=124ef5652899133bedaa0c928c7e581c347087451b4d7c731c89be25a510a229&width=400&height=225)
![Al Ain has not hosted an event of this kind since the onset of the pandemic](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QPB7OEZJMRASRGRPWANITN3BZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ab75b3ecc4cb20842b3a8e0ec0ebac118d3fcb74f7382351bafff59c0771a03&width=400&height=225)
![More than 100 local publishing houses are participating in this year's Al Ain Book Fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SKW5SX5ZIJDUJCBZ3TD7NAF4RY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef18ffeb66089d350480dd7f941675eef70cfb09125d2bbeb136c4a24b94b505&width=400&height=225)
![Illustrator Vern Brown is offering workshops at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IXKNJIN5BBPFIFC4SQISG6AJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=749c79e7ac53eda27b01e391813cbc2d5d0d9bc79071d481c4191a4c27790e56&width=400&height=225)
![An online platform gives readers the chance to remotely browse the fair’s collections and buy books from participating booksellers](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5K5CEV26WBHLHGEMBJMOREKHY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e46d2bd15deeb3f6b1e40a334fca5683439961b4174bfbb0d63bfd6077eff39d&width=400&height=225)
![Between the new venue, busy programme and concentrated digital presence, booksellers and participants say they are feeling optimistic about the fair’s comeback](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YT6X7OPRPVBHLKH6US7QHDVNUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=517c88f1e7dd5423c72d6f8b0505e63dabffbe07ae48c3171b688e69d9a78d3a&width=400&height=225)
![The fair's programme was designed as a celebration of the UAE's jubilee](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EX4CCSRD5NCJPIPLBMTG2YSWHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=75f14012776b6f462f197496a4608c0cac8a1da8e55d8a3bd6df25a3ce30c418&width=400&height=225)
![Artist Sally Alhashmi working at the illustrators' corner at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LW5H6Z7HFBGZ5EJJBK4BKRJOPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3678a01cf4edfa517c46135dd8cf1865a94e3c0be1b2ffd50deebb389be6e112&width=400&height=225)
![Sally Alhashmi paints familiar pop culture characters with Arabic phrases on almost any material she can find, from tote bags to T-shirts and canvases](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GAOHBWZ5NBBPF324BP46Y3CN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef09f988eb09e151fd3cef7a7ee53e4024dcd58381b90d45ed05540085e14b7b&width=400&height=225)
![Ahmed Alsayed, a bookseller from Ajman's Al Naif Library](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DSN6H6F3LNCPRJDMXDV5CHSZHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a3cdd843bff8d54db2c3a6cc9f7f37d49a2f478e604f4444f618d2c81abc427&width=400&height=225)
![A children's play area has been set up at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKXDFWM2GFFIHOS6USIT72MIQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae6351103b2df6f6e05fd80fd9c3ab75fe9e30d18baa4cfc046d9c73cae4322&width=400&height=225)
![Taking place until September 30, Al Ain Book Fair brings together more than 100 local publishing houses. All photos: Al Ain Book Fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSNOMTJYAJAPRJTP72AA5YXP7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b848a38d92735cd1f7a4dcf45f72827a041b3479e08038ca294c4c0d487dcb90&width=400&height=225)
![To attend the Al Ain Book Fair, an electronic access card must be obtained, either through the website or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair smartphone app](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEQTUY3MVBDQRJHDCOX67LR2ZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6178cc0c210f0f54da9271062249b290b929d35f8ecc36be99ec00cdd9e1c0aa&width=400&height=225)
![Stringent coronavirus-related measures have been implemented in the exhibition space](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3YQWX3GF7RCSVISCIOLLRNCLYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4639943be1bda6ac80e11fe968b4fa3b0cb0143eacfdb1dce6e2dcc203a8944a&width=400&height=225)
![Visitor numbers inside the exhibition halls and pavilions are limited to avoid overcrowding](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UOYAE45WVJCOXJCV3NQ4ELESHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfcede121c4e97aef228a9ced5b10c2bfa70f514190c5ad58fd56a642b9f4a5a&width=400&height=225)
![Palm-sized art for sale at the illustrators' corner at Al Ain Book Fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI73ZCMA6NDHLB72RENM2QMVZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d0f42536c3f3e6901ffa18fd9005cd430dd5b6b9a82b5b9279988a249950aa8&width=400&height=225)
![The 12th iteration of Al Ain Book Fair is being held at a new sprawling location in the shadow of the Zayed Central Library](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ND6CKZGX3NCY5CIGXI3VO3JW6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=124ef5652899133bedaa0c928c7e581c347087451b4d7c731c89be25a510a229&width=400&height=225)
![Al Ain has not hosted an event of this kind since the onset of the pandemic](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QPB7OEZJMRASRGRPWANITN3BZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ab75b3ecc4cb20842b3a8e0ec0ebac118d3fcb74f7382351bafff59c0771a03&width=400&height=225)
![More than 100 local publishing houses are participating in this year's Al Ain Book Fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SKW5SX5ZIJDUJCBZ3TD7NAF4RY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef18ffeb66089d350480dd7f941675eef70cfb09125d2bbeb136c4a24b94b505&width=400&height=225)
![Illustrator Vern Brown is offering workshops at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IXKNJIN5BBPFIFC4SQISG6AJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=749c79e7ac53eda27b01e391813cbc2d5d0d9bc79071d481c4191a4c27790e56&width=400&height=225)
![An online platform gives readers the chance to remotely browse the fair’s collections and buy books from participating booksellers](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5K5CEV26WBHLHGEMBJMOREKHY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e46d2bd15deeb3f6b1e40a334fca5683439961b4174bfbb0d63bfd6077eff39d&width=400&height=225)
![Between the new venue, busy programme and concentrated digital presence, booksellers and participants say they are feeling optimistic about the fair’s comeback](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YT6X7OPRPVBHLKH6US7QHDVNUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=517c88f1e7dd5423c72d6f8b0505e63dabffbe07ae48c3171b688e69d9a78d3a&width=400&height=225)
![The fair's programme was designed as a celebration of the UAE's jubilee](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EX4CCSRD5NCJPIPLBMTG2YSWHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=75f14012776b6f462f197496a4608c0cac8a1da8e55d8a3bd6df25a3ce30c418&width=400&height=225)
![Artist Sally Alhashmi working at the illustrators' corner at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LW5H6Z7HFBGZ5EJJBK4BKRJOPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3678a01cf4edfa517c46135dd8cf1865a94e3c0be1b2ffd50deebb389be6e112&width=400&height=225)
![Sally Alhashmi paints familiar pop culture characters with Arabic phrases on almost any material she can find, from tote bags to T-shirts and canvases](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GAOHBWZ5NBBPF324BP46Y3CN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef09f988eb09e151fd3cef7a7ee53e4024dcd58381b90d45ed05540085e14b7b&width=400&height=225)
![Ahmed Alsayed, a bookseller from Ajman's Al Naif Library](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DSN6H6F3LNCPRJDMXDV5CHSZHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a3cdd843bff8d54db2c3a6cc9f7f37d49a2f478e604f4444f618d2c81abc427&width=400&height=225)
![A children's play area has been set up at the fair](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKXDFWM2GFFIHOS6USIT72MIQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae6351103b2df6f6e05fd80fd9c3ab75fe9e30d18baa4cfc046d9c73cae4322&width=400&height=225)
Al Ain Book Fair celebrates UAE's cultural heritage with return to Zayed Central Library
The event, now in its 12th year, brings together more than 100 local publishing houses
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
September 22, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic
September 22, 2021