Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, is set to organise the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Scheduled to run from 13 to 18 September 2026 at the ADNEC, this year’s edition carries the theme “Let’s Turn the Page and Read the World.” It promises to highlight the fair’s growing stature as a pivotal global cultural platform, a key driver of knowledge economy and cultural industries, and a reflection of Abu Dhabi’s vision in embedding culture as a cornerstone of sustainable development and civilisational dialogue among nations.
A Global Cultural Exchange
This year’s theme embodies the fair’s vision of opening new horizons for intellectual and cultural exchange. It positions the fair as a global marketplace uniting knowledge producers, publishers, creators, and cultural decision-makers from around the world. The event will host exhibitors from 95 countries, along with renowned authors, thinkers, and academics, featuring a program of approximately 1,500 events designed to align with the UAE’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of the Family.” This will enhance culture’s role in human development, foster community cohesion, and prepare future generations to shape a promising future.
Three Core Pillars
The upcoming edition will revolve around three main themes: global culture and civilisational dialogue, innovation and future-making, and arts and live cultural experiences. Notably, the culture of the Balkans will be the guest of honour. The fair will also pay tribute to the eminent scholar Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi as a central figure and will select Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” as the “Book for the World,” signifying the fair’s mission of honouring intellectual symbols and timeless human works that have shaped human consciousness and enriched thought throughout history.
Commitment to Cultural Development
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stated that the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair embodies Abu Dhabi’s vision to invest in culture and knowledge as fundamental pillars for comprehensive development and as engines for building a knowledge economy that fosters closer ties between nations. Over the past 35 years, the fair has evolved from a gathering point for publishers and authors into a leading cultural institution that influences intellectual currents, stimulates innovation, and supports the growth of cultural and creative industries, while unveiling new avenues for international cooperation. He emphasised the ongoing development of this event as a commitment to building a sustainable cultural system that invests in people, empowers creators, inspires future generations, and solidifies Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for culture, knowledge, and creativity.
A Platform for Knowledge Production
Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, remarked that the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair represents a new milestone in the journey of a national cultural project that has established itself as a global platform for knowledge production and enhanced civilisational dialogue while anticipating the future of cultural and creative industries. He reaffirmed that the fair continues to embody the UAE’s vision of fostering culture as a driving force for development, with the Arabic language serving as a bridge for knowledge, creativity, and human communication. It will attract a distinguished group of thinkers, writers, publishers, and content creators from around the world, providing a global space for sharing experiences, launching innovative initiatives, and building partnerships that will contribute to the development of the publishing sector and bolster the knowledge economy.
A Celebratory Opening
This edition will uniquely commence with an inaugural celebration reflecting on the fair’s 35-year journey, showcasing the Emirati narrative through music and national song, accompanied by a theatrical performance inspired by the current edition’s central figure, Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi. This celebration blends authenticity with innovation, demonstrating the evolution of the Emirati cultural project.
A Comprehensive Cultural Programme
The upcoming fair will feature a comprehensive cultural, knowledge, and professional programme that includes a wide array of events, panel discussions, and workshops, as well as educational and creative programming for children and youth. Additionally, a professional track and a specialised conference will address key transformations and emerging trends in the publishing and cultural industries.
Celebrating Arabic Poetry
This year’s edition will also host a “Nights of Poetry” programme, offering a series of poetry evenings and discussions featuring some of the most prominent Arab poets, thus reinforcing the presence of Arabic poetry in the contemporary cultural scene and cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a literary creativity platform.
Honouring Literary Excellence
In a longstanding tradition, the fair will host a ceremony to honour the winners of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for 2026, celebrating the award’s contributions over two decades in supporting authorship, translation, and scientific research, while reinforcing the presence of Arab culture on the international stage. This aligns with the role of the fair in enriching cultural movements and enhancing knowledge production.
As it enters its 35th edition, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to establish itself as one of the leading global cultural platforms and a strategic driver for the growth of the publishing sector and creative industries. This aligns with the vision of the UAE and Abu Dhabi in making culture and knowledge foundational to sustainable development, a source for boosting the creative economy, soft power, and a platform for knowledge production that anticipates the future while solidifying civilisational dialogue among nations. Ultimately, it reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s status as a global capital of culture and a leading centre for knowledge production and future-making.