Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) on Saturday. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), ADIBF 2025 is being held from April 26 to May 6, 2025 under the theme: “Knowledge Illuminates Our Community”.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan toured the fair’s pavilions, viewing the latest publications from local and international publishing houses that contribute to the development of the publishing and literature sector and enrich the global cultural landscape. During the tour, His Highness engaged with publishers, listening to their views and opinions on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry amid rapid digital transformation.
For this year’s edition, the exhibition has chosen “Caribbean Culture” as the Guest of Honour, the encyclopaedic scholar Ibn Sina as the central figure, and “One Thousand and One Nights” as the Book of the World. The fair embraces the concept of comprehensive cultural exhibitions, hosting more than 2,000 events, including the inaugural Poetry Majlis and the first “Digitising Creativity” conference, which focuses on the integration of modern technology in publishing. These initiatives reinforce Abu Dhabi’s pivotal role as a global leader in the publishing sector and its commitment to promoting sustainability within the industry.
The theme of the 2025 edition aligns with the UAE President’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community. ADIBF 2025 has witnessed overwhelming participation from publishers, with 1,400 publishing houses from 96 countries taking part. This remarkable turnout underscores the fair’s status as a global platform for publishers, intellectuals, and creators, as well as a key destination for launching and promoting new releases, capitalising on its distinguished reputation and credibility among book lovers and cultural enthusiasts worldwide.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair reflects our shared belief that knowledge is the cornerstone of connection, progress, and understanding. With a rich tapestry of cultural events, this year’s edition reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, knowledge-driven society. The theme Knowledge Illuminates Our Community speaks not only to the power of books to inform and inspire, but also to their unique ability to bring people together—across cultures, languages, and generations. In the Year of Community, we continue to champion the Arabic language while celebrating literature’s enduring role as a universal source of inspiration and a guiding light for a better future.”
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “This year’s edition reflects the vital role of culture and reading in the UAE’s pioneering development journey and the growth of its capital, Abu Dhabi. Through its various themes and programmes, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair underscores the great attention devoted to the Arabic language, the book and publishing industry, and the creative industries. It forms part of broader efforts to serve the community by fostering a strong connection with the Arabic language—a vital pillar of cultural identity, rooted in authentic values drawn from the region’s culture and heritage. This edition reflects the UAE’s vision to promote cultural diversity, strengthen the publishing sector’s role in sustainable development, and advance the knowledge-based economy.”
The Fair’s initiatives align with the ALC’s objectives of enhancing the status and presence of the Arabic language and promoting a culture of reading, tolerance, and coexistence. This commitment is showcased through the selection of the great scholar Ibn Sina as the Focus Personality, One Thousand and One Nights—the most influential Arabic book in the collective imagination—as the Book of the World, and the celebration of the unique culture of the Caribbean Basin through the Guest of Honour programme, highlighting the human dimension that Abu Dhabi seeks to achieve across all its cultural initiatives, Bin Tamim remarked.
ADIBF 2025 embodies Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision, firmly establishing the emirate as a hub for Arab culture, a platform for global intellectual exchange, and a promoter of cultural dialogue. The fair’s activities span a wide range of themes—including society, fantasy, sustainability, Arab sciences, artificial intelligence, and innovation—organised across five main programmes.
The Cultural Programme, under the theme “Inspire”, features events in poetry, literature, arts, translation and cultural discourse. It offers debates, dialogues, workshops, and lectures led by renowned thinkers, writers, and creatives, providing audiences with the opportunity to engage directly with influential figures and explore contemporary cultural issues.
This year, the Cultural Programme introduces the first-ever Poetry Majlis, inspired by the strong audience engagement with poetry witnessed during previous ALC activities. The programme also features poetry evenings celebrating Nabati and classical Arabic poetry, accompanied by musical performances inspired by the poems and their rhythms. Additionally, cross-cultural poetry evenings bring together Arab poets and their international counterparts, fostering an innovative creative exchange across borders.
As part of the second edition of the World Book Initiative, launched by ADIBF last year, the Cultural Programme highlights the renowned work “One Thousand and One Nights”. It offers audiences a journey into one of the most extraordinary achievements of human imagination, exploring its legacy through literature, film and music.
The Podcast from Abu Dhabi programme returns for its third season, building on the tremendous success of its previous editions. This year’s programme will feature leading podcasters from across the Arab region and around the world, presenting their unique content to engage audiences, explore inspiring topics, and nurture a passion for knowledge, while also providing a platform for emerging young voices to be heard.
In addition to the Focus Personality programme (celebrating Ibn Sina) and the Guest of Honour pavilion, the fair also hosts book signings at the Book Signing Corner, where several prominent authors will meet the public and sign their latest titles.
ADIBF’s Professional Programme “Evolve is designed to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading driver of sustainability in the global publishing industry, offering unparalleled networking opportunities with 1,400 international publishing houses.
The programme explores the future of publishing and the creative industries, with a particular focus on the impact of artificial intelligence, delivered through workshops and keynote discussions. It also highlights emerging opportunities in the digital and creative sectors through the inaugural “Digitising Creativity” Conference, which integrates technology into arts and publishing, offering participants valuable insights into strategies for growth and innovation. Meanwhile, the “Business Lounge” provides a dynamic platform for networking and collaboration among publishers.
In addition to its educational offerings, ADIBF provides a vibrant entertainment experience through the Creative Arts Programme Create, which highlights heritage-based culinary arts from around the world, alongside photography exhibitions and workshops. The “Black Box” Cinema screens a curated selection of short Arabic films, while a dedicated music programme presents performances by outstanding artists throughout the fair.
The Children and Youth Programme remains a top priority on the Abu Dhabi ALC’s agenda, as part of its strategy to promote passion for the Arabic language and empower young minds to express themselves in Arabic, strengthening their connection to their cultural identity, in line with the UAE’s vision of children as the future representatives of the country’s civilisation and guarantors of its leading cultural status on the international stage.
The “Learn” theme of the programme offers a magical educational experience for children and youth, blending learning with entertainment through workshops and interactive activities that celebrate the Arabic language. These activities take place in dedicated areas, namely the Children’s Oasis and the Alpha Corner.
Meanwhile, the Explore pillar of the Exhibitors and Partners Programme highlights the vital role of government partners in promoting cultural activities that strengthen connections within the global literary community. In the “Under the Ghaf’s Shade” section, attendees can enjoy unique literary experiences with renowned authors, who will read excerpts from their works, engage with audiences, and sign copies of their books.
ADIBF actively promotes the Arabic language through innovative programmes that foster reading and creativity, in line with the UAE’s strategy to cultivate a society of passionate readers capable of producing Arabic content that meets the demands of the digital age. The strategy also supports emerging literary talents and enriches the Arabic library with publications that reflect the spirit and realities of the modern era.
