The fair will feature around 1,500 events, supporting the UAE’s Year of Family aspirations.
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, will host the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from 13 to 18 September 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Held under the theme “Turn the Page, Read the World,” the fair will bring together leading figures from the publishing sector, alongside prominent voices from the wider cultural and creative industries, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position on the global cultural map.
The programme will feature around 1,500 events aligned with the UAE’s Year of Family aspirations, bringing together exhibitors from 95 countries alongside renowned writers, thinkers and academics from around the world. The diverse programme highlights the growing role of culture in promoting lifelong learning, strengthening family and community ties, and inspiring future generations.
This year’s programme is centred on three main themes: global culture and civilisational dialogue; innovation and shaping the future; and the arts and live cultural experiences.
The Balkans will be featured as the Guest of Honour, while scholar Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi has been selected as the Focus Personality and Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote as the Book of the World. The selections reflect the fair’s celebration of influential figures and works that have shaped human thought, enriched intellectual discourse and fostered dialogue between civilisations throughout history.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has, over 35 years, helped build a vibrant cultural ecosystem where ideas are exchanged, creativity is encouraged and literature becomes part of everyday life. He said the fair has evolved into one of the region’s leading platforms for cultural exchange, contributing to the growth of the global publishing and creative industries while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for culture, knowledge and innovation.
He added that continued investment in cultural infrastructure and initiatives such as the fair is essential to inspiring new generations of readers, writers and creators, while supporting Abu Dhabi’s social, intellectual and economic development.
Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said the fair continues to connect people, ideas and cultures, while showcasing the richness of Arab culture and the authenticity of Emirati identity.
He described the event as an important platform for cultural dialogue, giving participants and visitors opportunities to engage with leading thinkers, writers and publishers, and discover emerging trends shaping the future of publishing and the wider cultural and creative industries.
“We are committed to strengthening the fair’s role as a driver of growth for the publishing sector and creative industries, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for culture and knowledge,” bin Tamim added.
For the first time, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will open with a special ceremony marking its 35-year journey. The ceremony will explore the UAE’s cultural narrative through music and patriotic songs, alongside a theatrical performance inspired by Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi, the Focus Personality of this year’s edition.
The fair will feature a broad programme of cultural and knowledge-based events, complemented by dedicated educational and creative activities for children and young adults.
A professional programme will include a specialised conference examining emerging trends in the publishing industry. The fair will also introduce “Poetry Nights,” a new programme featuring poetry readings, literary conversations and critical discussions with some of the Arab world’s leading poets.
Continuing a long-standing tradition, the fair will host the 2026 Sheikh Zayed Book Award ceremony, honouring this year’s laureates while marking the award’s achievements over the past two decades. The ceremony will also highlight the award’s contribution to supporting authorship, translation and scholarly research, reinforcing the fair’s wider role in advancing cultural life.
Now in its 35th year, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to strengthen its position as a global platform for cultural dialogue and an important driver of growth in publishing and the wider cultural and creative industries.
The fair reflects the UAE’s and Abu Dhabi’s vision of placing culture and knowledge at the heart of sustainable development, using culture as a source of soft power and fostering intercultural dialogue. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to further establish itself as a global cultural capital and leading centre for knowledge creation.
