Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 Opens With Abdullah Bin Zayed As Patron And Caribbean Culture Highlighted

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) has opened its doors under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the event. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), this year's fair runs from 26 April to 5 May 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah toured the fair, engaging with publishers about industry challenges and opportunities amid digital shifts. The event features over 2,000 activities, including the first Poetry Majlis and a conference on integrating technology in publishing. This underscores Abu Dhabi's leadership in global publishing and commitment to sustainability.

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The 2025 edition highlights the Culture of the Caribbean Basin as Guest of Honour, Ibn Sina as Focus Personality, and One Thousand and One Nights as Book of the World. These selections emphasise Abu Dhabi's aim to foster cultural dialogue and intellectual exchange on a global scale.

This year’s theme, "Knowledge Illuminates Our Community," aligns with the UAE President’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community. The fair attracts significant participation from 1,400 publishing houses across 96 countries, reinforcing its status as a global hub for publishers and creators.

Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of ALC, highlighted that ADIBF showcases efforts to strengthen ties between the community and Arabic language. The fair promotes cultural diversity and supports sustainable development within the publishing sector, reflecting UAE's vision for a knowledge-based economy.

ADIBF’s initiatives align with ALC's goals to enhance Arabic language presence and promote reading culture. By celebrating Ibn Sina and One Thousand and One Nights, it underscores human imagination's impact while spotlighting Caribbean culture to highlight shared human values.

Diverse Cultural Activities

The Cultural Programme organises events around poetry, literature, arts, translation, and discussions led by renowned figures. It includes debates, workshops, and lectures offering audiences direct engagement with influential thinkers on contemporary issues.

This year introduces Poetry Majlis inspired by audience interest in previous ALC activities. It features Nabati and classical Arabic poetry evenings accompanied by music inspired by poems' rhythms alongside cross-cultural poetry exchanges.

Innovative Initiatives

The Professional Programme Evolve focuses on sustainability in global publishing through networking opportunities with international houses. It explores AI's impact via workshops and discussions while delving into digital industry opportunities through Digitising Creativity Conference.

The Creative Arts Programme Create offers entertainment through heritage-based culinary arts exhibitions alongside photography workshops. Black Box Cinema screens short Arabic films while music performances feature throughout ADIBF.

Engaging Youth Through Education

The Children and Youth Programme prioritises promoting passion for Arabic language among young minds aligning with UAE’s vision for future cultural representatives. The Learn theme combines education with entertainment through workshops highlighting Arabic language in dedicated areas like Children’s Oasis.

The Explore pillar highlights government partners' role in cultural activities reinforcing links within global literary community through unique experiences under Ghaf’s Shade where authors read excerpts interactively signing books for attendees.

This year's ADIBF expects over 300,000 visitors reflecting its success in reviving book fairs as cultural events while cementing UAE’s role in sustaining publishing industry enriching international scene positioning itself as creativity knowledge destination globally.

With inputs from WAM