Al Dhafra Book Festival Receives AED 1 Million Grant From Hamdan Bin Zayed

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered a financial grant to back the sixth Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026, linking the event with the goals of the "Year of the Family" and Abu Dhabi’s wider vision for a knowledge-based economy.

The directive assigns AED1 million to buy books and varied knowledge resources directly from publishing houses taking part in Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026. The funds are intended to strengthen libraries, educational bodies, and other knowledge institutions across the Al Dhafra Region.

The initiative supports efforts to make reading a lasting social habit within families and communities. It seeks to expand household access to books, position reading as a key element of cultural upbringing, and develop awareness among different age groups across the Al Dhafra Region.

By purchasing directly from participating publishers, the grant is designed to aid the publishing sector and widen the impact of diverse content. The festival’s role is framed as a link between books and society, helping ensure that knowledge offerings mirror community interests and educational needs.

The Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026 is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, which is affiliated with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The event contributes to building a reading society that aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term development and cultural strategies.

Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of ALC, said that the centre highly values the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and highlighted that continued support has driven the festival’s qualitative growth by mobilising capabilities and responding to the cultural and knowledge needs of the community.

With inputs from WAM