Under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Diab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Presidential Court for Development Affairs, inaugurated the 33rd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair organized by the Abu Dhabi Center for Arabic Language, running from April 29 to May 5 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).
The fair serves as a platform for publishing professionals to explore key trends and outcomes in the publishing sector, providing an opportunity for meetings and partnerships, and represents a main destination for culture and reading enthusiasts to discover notable new releases. It reflects Abu Dhabi’s prominent global position in publishing and the promotion of Arabic culture. During the opening, Diab toured the fair, which includes around 1,350 publishing houses from 90 countries, embodying the current theme of the fair, "Here... The Stories of the World Are Told." He was updated on the key publications from local, Arab, and global publishers and listened to exhibitors' opinions and aspirations for future editions of the fair.
Diab also visited several pavilions, notably the pavilion of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the "Guest of Honor" for this edition, and the pavilion of the renowned writer and novelist Naguib Mahfouz, the "Central Character" of this cycle. The visit included the "World Book Corner," newly created this year, starting with the book "Kalila wa Dimna" by Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffa, along with a number of distinguished events and activities hosted at the fair, including the "Thamyth Podcast" platform from Saudi Arabia, which will hold a series of interviews and discussions with authors, an art corner, a dedicated cultural program for children and youth, and the "Souq al-Azbakiya" platform, which replicates the historical Azbakiya market in Egypt, marking the first manifestation of an old book market program at the fair.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair constitutes a global cultural event celebrating both printed and digital cultural content, providing an ideal opportunity for publishing professionals worldwide to discover the latest outcomes in the global publishing sector and to establish connections and partnerships. It is also a leading platform supporting the development and growth of the publishing sector while reinforcing the status of the Arabic language as a language of culture, science, and creativity globally.
The fair has enhanced its competitiveness and global stature, reflecting the capital's prominent role in supporting Arab culture and the ongoing growth of the publishing sector worldwide by facilitating communication among all its stakeholders from various parts of the world, with 1,350 exhibitors from 90 countries participating, including 145 new exhibitors and publishing houses, as well as the participation of 12 countries for the first time: Greece, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Pakistan, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Indonesia, with continued interest in participation despite the registration closure.
The comprehensive professional and cultural program of the fair includes discussions, innovative literary and artistic workshops, live musical performances, film screenings, and photo exhibitions representing the journey of creators and telling their life stories while showcasing their major achievements. Additionally, it features "Dishes and Cultures" displays highlighting the cultures of the world and the most significant dishes from traditional cuisines.
The fair hosts activities designed for children and youth, reflecting its commitment to expanding events and activities to cater to the diverse needs and tastes of different demographics. This year’s edition has introduced the "World Book" focus, discussing influential works in the global literary journey that have had a lasting impact across years and cultures, starting with "Kalila wa Dimna" alongside an art exhibition organized by the Louvre – Abu Dhabi on "Fable Literature: From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine."
The fair honors the late Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz as the "Central Character" of this year’s edition, in recognition of his substantial role and influence in enhancing and promoting Arabic culture globally. It also highlights the Republic of Egypt as the "Guest of Honor" due to its esteemed cultural status and its active influence in enriching Arab thought and knowledge, participating with a cultural and professional program that reflects its cultural role in the Arab world and in the publishing industry.
The fair presents cultural showcases from various continents through dedicated pavilions collected from publishers across those regions.
