The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre announced that the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will open on September 13 2026 under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Organised by the centre which operates under the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi the event runs through September 18 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and aims to reinforce the emirate’s position as a global hub for culture and publishing. The fair’s theme Turn the Page Read the World underscores its focus on connecting diverse literary traditions while promoting reading as a tool for dialogue and lifelong learning according to a WAM report.
Exhibitors from 95 countries will take part in the six-day programme which features approximately 1,500 events organised around three central pillars including global culture and civilisational dialogue innovation and the creation of the future as well as the arts and live cultural experiences. The Balkans will serve as this year’s Guest of Honour while the eighth-century scholar Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi has been selected as the Focus Personality and Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote named the Book of the World a choice that highlights landmark works shaping human thought. These selections according to the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre reflect the fair’s commitment to fostering inter-civilisational exchange and celebrating contributions that have enriched global knowledge.
A comprehensive professional programme will examine trends reshaping the publishing sector with sessions on digital transformation artificial intelligence intellectual property rights exchange and evolving reader behaviours. Participants will include directors from Spain’s National Association of Publishers of Books and Teaching Materials representatives from New York University Abu Dhabi and executives from China’s Education Publishing and Media Group the centre stated in its announcement. Gulf News reported that the initiative positions the fair as a platform for Arab and international publishers to build partnerships and address challenges in protecting creators’ rights while adapting to technological shifts.
Participating exhibitors will offer a 35 percent discount on books and publications throughout the fair a move designed to broaden access to knowledge and encourage reading habits the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre explained. The event also launches the new Emirati Pioneers initiative honouring writer Mohammed Al Murr as its first recipient with a dedicated pavilion displaying his works a mural tracing his career and a documentary screening. The National noted that this addition builds on the fair’s history of recognising cultural figures and aligns with efforts to document Emirati contributions to literature and heritage.
Since its modest launch in 1981 at the Cultural Foundation the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has expanded significantly with the previous edition attracting more than 150,000 visitors and drawing exhibitors from 96 countries according to data compiled by The National. This year’s edition introduces first-time participants from several Latin American nations further diversifying the roster and supporting the fair’s role in global publishing networks. The growth trajectory underscores Abu Dhabi’s investment in cultural infrastructure that The National said has transformed the event into one of the region’s premier knowledge platforms.
The programme includes dedicated activities for children and young adults alongside poetry nights literary discussions and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award ceremony honouring laureates in authorship translation and research. Alignment with the UAE’s Year of Family is evident in sessions exploring reading’s role in strengthening community bonds and family engagement the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre highlighted. Additional events will address national heritage preservation digital accessibility and the intersection of culture with emerging technologies providing a multifaceted experience for attendees.
