Bookworms in the UAE are in for a treat as the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) returns this September, bring together renowned figures from the publishing sector and the cultural and creative industries.

Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), under the theme ‘Turn the Page, Read the World’, ADIBF will run from September 13 to 18, 2026.

Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the event will welcome guests from all over the world for a week full of cultural exchange.

The programme will feature around 1,500 events aligned with the UAE’s Year of Family aspirations, and bring together exhibitors from 95 countries alongside distinguished writers, thinkers, and academics from around the world.

This year’s programme is organised around three main themes: global culture and civilisational dialogue, innovation and the creation of the future, and the arts and live cultural experiences.

The Balkans will be celebrated as the Guest of Honour, while the fair will honour the scholar Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi as its Focus Personality and Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote as the Book of the World.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “For 35 years, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has helped shape a vibrant cultural ecosystem where ideas are exchanged, creativity is nurtured, and literature enriches everyday life.

Furthermore, His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC also explained how ADIBF showcases the “authenticity of Emirati identity,” by connecting people, ideas and cultures.

The event serves as a vital platform for cultural dialogue, enabling participants and visitors to engage with leading thinkers, writers and publishers, and explore the latest trends shaping the future of publishing, and the cultural and creative industries.

In keeping with a long-standing tradition, the fair will host the 2026 Sheikh Zayed Book Award ceremony, honouring this year’s laureates and marking the award’s achievements over the past two decades.

In a first for the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, a special ceremony will open the event, celebrating its 35-year journey. The event will explore the UAE’s cultural narrative with music and patriotic songs and will feature a theatrical performance inspired by Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi, the Focus Personality of this year’s edition.

This year’s programme will also see the launch of the Poetry Nights programme, featuring a rich blend of poetry readings, literary conversations, and critical discussions with some of the Arab world’s most distinguished poets.

To find out more, visit the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair website, here.

The details: 

When: September 13 to 18, 2026
Where: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
Price: Free to enter (registration required through website)
Contact: @abudhabibookfair

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