Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 Celebrates Global Culture

The 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) opened its doors at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), presenting a grand celebration of literature, knowledge, and culture. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the fair runs from April 26 to May 5, 2025. Held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this year’s edition welcomes 1,400 exhibitors representing 96 countries, gathering under the inspiring theme, “Knowledge Illuminates Our Community.” The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to affirm Abu Dhabi’s leadership in fostering global cultural exchange, establishing itself as a vibrant hub for literature, creativity, and learning.

A Platform Where Knowledge Illuminates the Community

In line with the UAE’s vision to invest in culture and strengthen dialogue among civilisations, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair offers a distinguished platform where the power of knowledge unites global communities. With over 1,400 exhibitors and more than 2,000 engaging activities, the fair attracts readers, intellectuals, writers, and publishers from around the world.

This year’s event boasts a dynamic programme featuring panel discussions, workshops, literary readings, and artistic exhibitions. It invites visitors of all backgrounds to immerse themselves in thought-provoking dialogues, explore contemporary publishing trends, and connect with global literary movements. The Book Fair showcases Abu Dhabi’s enduring commitment to cultivating a flourishing intellectual ecosystem, encouraging both cultural appreciation and literary innovation.

Celebrating Ibn Sina’s Legacy and One Thousand Years of Influence

An outstanding highlight of the fair is the commemoration of one thousand years since the publication of Ibn Sina’s seminal masterpiece, The Canon of Medicine. Recognised as one of history’s most influential figures, Ibn Sina’s contributions to medicine, philosophy, and science continue to shape human knowledge. The Book Fair honours his enduring legacy through dedicated exhibitions, scholarly discussions, and curated displays featuring rare manuscripts and modern interpretations. Through this homage, the fair bridges past and present, inspiring new generations to value the profound impact of intellectual pioneers on the course of civilisation.

One Thousand and One Nights: Celebrating the Book of the World

In another momentous tribute, the 2025 edition celebrates One Thousand and One Nights as the “Book of the World.” This timeless collection of stories, celebrated across cultures for its imaginative richness, has profoundly influenced global literature, art, and storytelling traditions.

Visitors to the fair will experience a variety of activities, including dramatic performances, literary panels, and visual exhibitions, all dedicated to exploring the enduring magic of these tales. The celebration underscores the universality of storytelling and highlights how One Thousand and One Nights continues to inspire creativity and collective imagination across generations and continents.

Culture of the Caribbean Basin as Guest of Honour

Reflecting its commitment to global cultural dialogue, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair proudly welcomes the Culture of the Caribbean Basin as the Guest of Honour for 2025. This special focus offers an immersive exploration of the Caribbean’s literary, artistic, and musical traditions.

Through a rich programme of author talks, cultural exhibitions, and live performances, visitors can experience the vibrancy and diversity of Caribbean culture. This initiative strengthens Abu Dhabi’s role as a bridge between cultures, promoting mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation among global audiences.

A Remarkable Evolution Since 1981

The roots of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair date back to 1981 when the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan inaugurated the Islamic Book Fair at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. Hosting just 50 publishers in its first edition, the fair laid the groundwork for a literary movement that would flourish over the decades.

By 1986, the event had evolved into the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, attracting 70 publishers. Two years later, participation grew to include 80 publishers from ten Arab countries, solidifying the fair’s growing importance in the region. The 1993 edition marked a turning point, establishing the fair as an annual event and welcoming a surge of international publishers, cementing its reputation as a major platform for Arab and global literature.

Welcoming the New Millennium with Greater Ambitions

The start of the new millennium saw the fair reach unprecedented heights. By 2001, more than 514 publishing houses participated, with prominent cultural figures enriching the programme. In 2009, the introduction of “The Arab E-Library” initiative expanded access to Arabic digital content, signalling a forward-thinking embrace of technology and innovation.

In 2011, France was honoured as the fair’s first international Guest of Honour, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering East-West literary collaboration. In 2014, the fair launched its annual “Literary Figure of Honour” tribute, beginning with the celebrated Arab poet Al Mutanabbi. The 2015 Silver Jubilee edition paid homage to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, welcoming 1,181 publishers from 63 countries and solidifying the fair’s international prestige.

Major Highlights from Recent Editions

The 2018 edition, coinciding with the Year of Zayed, celebrated the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. That year, 1,350 exhibitors from 63 countries participated, with Poland recognised as the Guest of Honour. In 2019, India took the spotlight as Guest of Honour, and the “One Million Tolerant Document” initiative was launched, aligning with the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.

The 2024 edition continued to demonstrate the fair’s dynamism, welcoming new exhibitors from 12 countries including Greece, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Mozambique. These milestones affirm the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair’s growing appeal and influence on the global literary stage.

Breaking New Ground with the 34th Edition

This year’s 34th edition marks several historic achievements. For the first time, the Book Fair extends across ten full days, offering an even broader and richer schedule of cultural activities. This expansion encourages innovation within the publishing sector and provides Arab and Emirati authors greater opportunities to connect with international audiences.

The 2025 fair showcases remarkable figures: over 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries, speaking more than 60 languages, with 120 first-time exhibitors—an 18% increase from the previous year. Participants from 20 new countries across four continents reflect the fair’s rapidly growing international reach.

Moreover, the event features 28 international pavilions, 87 local and international government entities, 13 author-publishers, 15 universities, and eight dedicated publishing sector initiatives. These outstanding numbers underline the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair’s role as a global epicentre for knowledge, cultural exchange, and publishing excellence.