ALC: 570 Publications Showcased at Almadinah Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo
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ALC: 570 Publications Showcased at Almadinah Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) logo

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has concluded its first-ever participation at the Almadinah Book Fair, which was organized by the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The event’s third edition was held from July 30 to August 5 and was attended by more than 300 publishing houses from various countries around the world.

ALC’s pavilion at the fair offered visitors a collection of over 570 publications from its Kalima Project for Translation, Esdarat project and Basaer (Insights) series of research papers and studies, including 65 new titles, WAM said.

The ALC’s participation strengthened relationships with stakeholders in the publishing and specialized book fairs industry, in addition to highlighting its own initiatives and projects related to book publishing and translation.

Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, emphasized the center’s commitment to participating in book fairs across the region, given their role as prominent creative platforms that promote publishing and the book industry.

“Book fairs in Saudi Arabia embody the flourishing cultural scene in the Kingdom,” he said. “They provide an ideal opportunity for us at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center to strengthen relations with Saudi publishing and cultural industry stakeholders at the Arab and international levels, and to exchange inspiring ideas and visions that have the potential to develop this key industry.”



Egypt’s Step Pyramid of Djoser: World's First Engineered Stone Structure

The monumental structure is often hailed as the world's oldest engineered stone structure. (SPA)
The monumental structure is often hailed as the world's oldest engineered stone structure. (SPA)
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Egypt’s Step Pyramid of Djoser: World's First Engineered Stone Structure

The monumental structure is often hailed as the world's oldest engineered stone structure. (SPA)
The monumental structure is often hailed as the world's oldest engineered stone structure. (SPA)

To truly travel back in time, there is no better place than Egypt. Beyond the iconic Great Pyramids, the country is a treasure trove of ancient wonders, including the inspiring Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

This monumental structure is often hailed as the world's oldest engineered stone structure. As the pioneering pyramid of its time, it marked a revolutionary leap in ancient Egyptian architecture. Built during the reign of King Horus Netjerikhet (Djoser) in the 3rd Dynasty, around 2667-2648 BC, it is believed to be the brainchild of the visionary architect Imhotep.

A recent study published by PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open access mega journal published by the Public Library of Science since 2006, titled "On the possible use of hydraulic force to assist with building the Step Pyramid of Saqqara" proposes a new theory about the construction of this pyramid, suggesting that hydraulic lifts may have been used.

Led by Xavier Landrieu of the Paleotechnic Institute, a privately owned research institute specializing in archaeology and ancient technologies analysis, the study challenges the traditional beliefs about the building methods of the Egyptians by suggesting that they utilized waterpower to transport the massive stones.

Djoser's pyramid is more than just a tomb. It is a complex of structures that include temples, courtyards, and underground chambers, forming an ancient city of the dead. At its heart is the pyramid itself, a six-tiered limestone masterpiece rising 61 meters high and enclosed by a massive wall.