The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the results of the 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2024), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This year’s event welcomed 231,168 visitors over the course of its seven days and sold 152,160 books. The overall visitor satisfaction rate for the 2024 edition was 97%, an increase of 5% compared to 2023.
The Fair, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 29 April to 5 May, featured 1,350 publishers from 90 countries, showcasing their latest publications across literature, thought, philosophy, medicine, and technology, with a select group of writers, thinkers, and influential figures participating in more than 2,000 activities.
Themed ‘Where the World’s Tales Unfold’, ADIBF 2024 featured several new events, Egypt featured as Guest of Honour, making it the first Arab country to be highlighted at the Fair. In addition, renowned Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz, the only Arab Nobel Prize laureate in literature, was chosen as the Focus Personality for this year’s edition.
The 2024 Fair welcomed 145 new exhibitors and publishers, as well as 12 countries participating for the first time, namely, Greece, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Pakistan, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Indonesia.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues on its path of growth and milestone achievements, with yet another successful edition cementing its reputation as an industry-leading event in terms of content, form, innovation, and display. This year’s Fair allowed the public to learn about cultural innovations, discover new literature, and immerse themselves in art and creativity. It also provided an opportunity for Emirati publishers and authors to network and explore ideas that optimise the use of technologies, enabling knowledge to prosper and cultural and creative industries to thrive.”
This year’s edition of the ADIBF introduced the Book of the World corner, which spotlighted the renowned book ‘Kalila wa Dimna’ by Abdullah Ibn al-Muqaffa for its inaugural edition, coinciding with the exhibition titled ‘From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine: Travelling through Fables’, held at Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Moreover, ADIBF included an array of other sections, catering to visitors’ diverse interests. These included the Arts Corner; the Learn platform, tailored to children’s needs; and cultural exhibitions from various continents at the pavilions of publishers from these countries. Also on the agenda was the World’s Cuisine section, showcasing global culinary traditions, which reinforced the Fair’s status as a premier family destination.
Meanwhile, the Fair’s comprehensive professional programme brought together regional publishing sectors and creative industries, in line with Abu Dhabi’s pivotal role in supporting print, visual, audio, and interactive cultural works, and keeping pace with the latest developments in publishing and technology, including artificial intelligence. The aim is to cement the capital's position as a hub for Arab publishing and global creative content, and to enhance the Fair as a leading global competitor in the sector, striving to develop and sustain the Arab and global publishing industry while facilitating communication among all stakeholders worldwide.
