Ghaf is an electronic library and a publishing house. The members of its team works hard to sell a selection of various books enriching Arab thought. Besides, Ghaf also republishes the forgotten books to revive them and have them within easy reach.
Ghaf Publishing’s readers are given the opportunity to find and obtain a collection of rare editions of books in various fields of knowledge. The name of the publishing house comes from a name of the tree. A ghaf tree is a drought-tolerant tree, which can remain green even in harsh desert environments. A ghaf is the national tree of the UAE since it symbolises stability and peace in the UAE’s desert environment.
Every month, Ghaf Publishing determines an artist and a writer of the month. This time, it is Salma Al Marri who is the artist of the month. She works with drawing, photography and relief sculpture; she uses acrylic colours in a special technique that distinguishes her style. Selma’s work is deeply rooted in her heritage, and she has assimilated both her Arab and international experiences into her artistic journey. Her art deals with such themes as the environment, emotions, history, and archaeology. In 2013 she was awarded the Grand Prize for Arab Contemporary Art at the Al-Kharafi Biennial. She was also selected as one of 50 artists for the Al Owais Cultural Foundation’s Golden Exhibition of UAE Artists in which 50 Emirati artists take part in the world’s largest art event.
The writer of the month is Antonio Skármeta who is a Chilean writer, born in Antofagasta in 1940. He is considered to be one of the most important Latin American writers whose works have been translated into several languages. Skármeta achieved great success through his novel The Poet’s Wedding, which was well received. He was awarded Chile’s National Literature Prize in 2014.
