Adel Labidi, Chief Librarian at Global Studies University, will debut his Arabic translation of the novel Embers by renowned Hungarian writer Sándor Márai (1900–1989) at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The book signing will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Hall 12, Booth F05, published by Dar Kitab Publishing.
Originally published in 1942, Embers (A gyertyák csonkig égnek) is considered Márai’s literary masterpiece. The novel follows an aging general who reunites with a long-lost friend after 41 years, unspooling a story of loyalty, betrayal, and memory amid the fading world of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Through his spare and introspective style, Márai crafts a deeply psychological portrait of time, silence, and the moral weight of friendship.
Labidi’s Arabic translation introduces this modern European classic to new readers, aligning closely with the missions of Global Studies University and The Africa Institute. His work exemplifies the Institute’s vision as a globally oriented center of research, teaching, and cultural translation that engages deeply with Africa and its global diaspora. The translation of Embers into Arabic is not only a literary achievement—it reflects a larger institutional commitment to expanding knowledge circuits between Africa, the Arab world, and beyond.
“Translating Márai was not only a literary endeavor—it was a cultural bridge. I wanted Arabic readers to experience the emotional precision and historical weight that make Embers resonate across time and borders,” said Labidi.
Born in Teboursouk, Tunisia, Labidi holds degrees in Arabic literature and library science, and has pursued postgraduate research in France. His academic focus on Arabic metadata and digital knowledge systems led to positions in Canadian academic libraries, and a research fellowship at the National Research Council of Canada. Since 2020, he has been based in the UAE, where he first established The Africa Institute’s academic library before becoming Chief Librarian at Global Studies University.
This book launch not only highlights Labidi’s scholarly and literary contributions, but also underscores the university’s dedication to transregional research and multilingual engagement. Embers in Arabic joins a growing body of work that bridges traditions, geographies, and intellectual frameworks—echoing the university’s ethos of global understanding grounded in critical inquiry. Copies of the Arabic edition of Embers will be available for purchase at Meroë, The Africa Institute’s bookshop located on our campus in Sharjah.