Running through September 18 at ADNEC Centre, the cultural gathering spotlights Balkan heritage, honours classical linguist Al Farahidi, and marks 20 years of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award

ABU DHABI, Sept. 14, 2026 :Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has formally opened the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, launching a six-day gathering that convenes 1,200 exhibitors from 95 countries.

Held under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 2026 fair runs through September 18 under the theme “Turn The Page, Read The World.” Organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), a division of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the event features approximately 1,500 cultural, artistic, and educational sessions.

During an inaugural tour, Sheikh Abdullah visited the central pavilions, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, the Chinese national pavilion, and the Menassah Distribution stand. At the ALC pavilion, he examined digital and audio initiatives alongside new literary releases, notably The UAE in Pictures: Reflections by Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Centre.

Sheikh Abdullah also stopped at the newly introduced “Emirati Pioneers” showcase, which spotlights Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, as its debut figure.

Timed alongside the UAE’s Year of Family initiatives, this 35th edition places family-oriented reading programs, youth literacy, and creative industry development at the heart of its agenda. Organizers have set aside dedicated tracks addressing intellectual property rights, anti-piracy mechanisms, and the accelerating role of artificial intelligence in contemporary publishing.

DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said the fair reflects a decades-long commitment to connecting global creative sectors with Abu Dhabi’s expanding knowledge economy, emphasizing the preservation and modern revitalization of the Arabic language.

Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, noted that the fair continues to bridge traditional heritage and emerging digital formats, expanding Arab literary outreach to younger generations and international audiences.

Balkan culture serves as this year’s Guest of Honour in partnership with the Republic of North Macedonia, creating structured exchanges between regional and Southeast European publishers, translators, and authors.

Classical philologist and lexicographer Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi, renowned for establishing Arabic poetic meter (arud) and compiling the early dictionary Kitab al-Ayn, is designated the Focus Personality. His legacy serves as the centerpiece for the opening theatrical performance, Al Khalil’s Metaphor: A Legend of Love and Survival, exploring linguistic balance and literary preservation.

Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote is featured as the “Book of the World.” The fair will also host the official presentation ceremony for the 2026 Sheikh Zayed Book Award, commemorating two decades since the literary prize was founded.

The fair’s professional program addresses translation bottlenecks, copyright distribution, and digital monetization, while running concurrent interactive workshops geared toward early childhood reading and Arabic language retention.