Under the patronage of the UAE President, 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opens
The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opened at ADNEC on 13 September 2026, staging more than 1,500 events across six days under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Major cultural gathering at ADNEC highlights literature, family and cross‑cultural exchange
The 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2026) launched on 13 September at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Fair runs for six days from 13 to 18 September.
This year’s programme comprises more than 1,500 cultural and knowledge events, bringing together readers, creators and intellectuals in a wide range of formats. The Fair offers sessions for children and adults, performances and music, themed pavilions and specialist talks intended to strengthen the publishing sector and the cultural and creative industries in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Balkan Culture is the Guest of Honour in collaboration with the Republic of North Macedonia, opening a window onto a region where historical layers and cultural interchange have shaped distinctive literary and artistic traditions. The Fair’s Focus Personality is the linguist Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi, while Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes was named Book of the World, signalling the event’s continuing role as a bridge between languages and civilisations.
Popular programmes returning this year include Poetry Nights, Podcast from Abu Dhabi and The Next Chapter, alongside musical tributes and dedicated spaces celebrating major artists such as Abdel Halim Hafez. The Fair’s theme, ‘Turn the Page, Read the World’, reflects its ambition to promote reading as a means of broadening perspectives and fostering cultural dialogue.
ADIBF 2026 aligns with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the ‘Year of Family’. The organisers have emphasised family‑centred programming that invites different generations to engage with books, the Arabic language and Arab heritage, reinforcing the connection between home and reading as a foundation for lifelong learning.
Organisers and Abu Dhabi authorities present the Fair as a strategic platform for knowledge production, creative economy growth and soft power. By convening international guests, regional voices and local institutions, the Fair aims to reaffirm Abu Dhabi’s position as a global cultural capital and a centre for shaping future cultural and intellectual exchange.
Source: WAM