(May 3rd 2016) The curtain falls on the 16th International Book Fair in Abu Dhabi (27th April-3rd May 2016) in the UAE which has seen Italy as the leading star. The Italian participation was promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities and Tourism, the Italian Embassy to the UAE, the Italian Trade Agency (promotion for globalisation of Italian companies), the Book and Reading Centre, and the Italian Publishers Association (AIE). The development of the overall project was overseen; divided into a programme that has seen the numerous and varied facets of the geniality of the ‘made in Italy’, from the exceptionality of literary production to the innovative power of design created by the wonders in the arts to gastronomy. Presenting the many facets of the Italian Genius, were some of the greatest contemporary authors, both protagonists at meeting in the official spaces of the Fair, in the Royal Family;s sumptuous and welcoming stand and the Al-Multaqa Association: Donato Carrisi, Luigi Guarnieri, Nicola Lagioia, Magrelli Valerio, Valerio Massimo Manfrei, Antonio Mazini, Beatrice Masini, Melani Mazzucco, Michela Murgia, Alessandro Sanna, Vincenzo Trione, Licia Troisi, as well as Franco Cardini, Giorgio Ghiotti, Chiara Valerio and Cristiano Cavina. “This participation must be a first step towards the consolidation of the Italy’s cultural presence in the Emirates that are investing heavily to promote the cultural development of the whole country. Italy has a lot to offer to the UAE and its friends, and it is thus important to seize this opportunity” explains Federico Motta, President of the Italian Publishers Association. Motta gives a special thanks “to the invited authors and their great willingness but especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and to the Italian Embassy to the UAE who coordinated the participation, to the Ministry of Heritage and Culture and Tourism which together with the Book and Reading Centre have supported the editorial participation, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Italian Trade Agency who realised the Italian Pavilion at the Fair”.