KITAB is launching a new private membership club for Abu Dhabi’s literati: The Abu Dhabi Literature and Publishers Club. The Club, which was conceived of by ADIBF managing director Monika Kruass, made its official debut yesterday with its inaugural event, a book launch for the German language edition of the seminal history of the UAE, From Trucial States to the United Arab Emirates by Frauke Heard-Bay, published by Motivate Publishing of Dubai.“It is one of the new projects that I’m most excited about,” said Krauss, “We’re creating an entirely new social club and space for those who create, read, and love books. We see it as a major new platform for intellectual activity here in the capital.”The Club will host Arab and international authors for readings, panel discussions, art exhibitions related to books, as well as professional for publishers, booksellers and writers.Initially, Club events will be hosted at area hotels. In the near future, Krauss expects the Club to move into a dedicated space, likely close to the ADACH headquarters in the city center. There it will house a library and meeting rooms to be used by book clubs and for education. “Eventually, we’d also like to have the space for a writer-in-residence program,” she said.In the coming year, Krauss expects the Club to host numerous events, among which is likely to be a symposium of architects hosted by Philip Jodidio, author of Architecture in the Emirates (Taschen) among other books and preparing to take a number of Emirati authors to the Jaipur Literature Festival.“The Abu Dhabi Literature and Publishers Club is part of our long-term strategy for developing the community of book lovers and readers here in the Emirates,” said Krauss. “We want Abu Dhabi to become a hub for books and culture and think that the Club can be an important part of that transformation. –Edward Nawotka