The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is participating in the 77th edition of the Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the largest and most prominent global events in the culture and publishing industry.
The Fair will take place from 15 to 19 October 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany, bringing together a wide range of distinguished writers, intellectuals, and publishers from around the world.
The Centre’s participation this year forms part of its strategy to strengthen the presence of the Arabic language on the international stage, advance Abu Dhabi’s position as a pivotal hub for culture and creativity, and expand its network of strategic partnerships with leading German and international institutions in the publishing and creative sectors. European and global audiences will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of the ALC’s pioneering projects in translation and publishing, as well as its literary awards and major cultural events.
His Excellency Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “Our participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair is a continuation of our journey of cultural partnership, through which we seek to establish the presence of Arab literature and thought on the global stage, while highlighting Abu Dhabi’s vital role as a centre for translation, publishing, and knowledge. With its diverse programmes and initiatives, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre is committed to building bridges of dialogue and communication with various cultures, fostering diversity and creativity, and providing new opportunities for creatives, publishers, and researchers to enrich the cultural movement at regional and international levels.”
“The Frankfurt Book Fair offers a prestigious international platform for discussing future trends in the publishing industry and anticipating the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid digital transformations,” H.E. bin Tamim added. “The Centre’s participation in this global forum embodies the UAE’s vision to support culture as a key driver of sustainable development, opening new horizons for international cooperation and expanding the reach of Arabic books in the global cultural landscape.”
The ALC’s programme during its participation includes a range of initiatives and events. Most notably, the Centre will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Arabookverse, in the presence of Juergen Boos, President and CEO of the Frankfurt Book Fair, to launch the Digital Arabic Library project, which aims to make Arabic content available to global readers and keep pace with technological developments in the publishing industry.
The Centre will also host an official reception at its pavilion on Opening Day, welcoming publishers and decision makers from around the world, to showcase its projects and initiatives that support the publishing industry, and to present the grants and programmes it offers annually at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
As part of its literary events programme, the ALC will be organising a panel discussion titled ‘Comics in the Arab World: From the Margins to the Forefront’ on 17 October, featuring German illustrator Katharina Grossmann-Hensel and children’s book publishing expert Meri Melkonian. The session will discuss the evolution of Arabic comics and the challenges facing the industry, such as limited publishing, scarce distribution, and social obstacles, in addition to the potential of digital platforms to promote the spread of comics.
The Centre will also highlight its Kalima Project for Translation – which has been a pioneer in its field since its launch in 2007 – and its efforts to foster inter-civilisational dialogue among peoples.
On 19 October, the ALC will host a panel discussion at the Frankfurt International Stage at the Fair titled ‘How Do Emirati and German Youth Read?’, featuring Julia Balog, expert in publishing and intellectual property rights, and Emirati researcher Moza Jassim, Lead Editor at the Kalima Project. Moderated by journalist Saeed Saeed from The National newspaper, the discussion will explore similarities and differences in reading habits among youth in both countries and the impact of education and technology on their literary culture. The panellists will also discuss the role of government and private initiatives in promoting a culture of reading, as well as the differences in literary interests and preferred genres among youth in the two countries.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s pavilion will also host special events for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, featuring two distinctive sessions. The first session, titled ‘The Classics Today: New Horizons in Arabic Literature’, will be held on 17 October, featuring Beatrice Gründler, Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at Freie Universität Berlin; Prof. Hakan Özkan from Aix-Marseille University; Dr Maurice Pomerantz, Professor of Literature and Arabic Crossroads and Executive Director of the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute; and Stefan Weidner writer, researcher, and Arabist. Panellists will discuss new dimensions for studying classical Arabic literature and adapting modern theories for its interpretation.
The second session will be held on 18 October, titled ‘Hoda Barakat: Hind or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World’. It will highlight the book which won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Literature category for 2025 and feature Author Hoda Barakat alongside journalist Lena Bopp from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung to explore the artistic and human dimensions of the novel.
With this extensive agenda of professional meetings in Frankfurt, the ALC seeks to align global best practices with the themes of the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. It aims to engage publishing houses from markets in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to open channels of cooperation with digital and audio publishing platforms, and to activate initiatives to fund translation and support rights distribution. This, in turn, sets the stage for cooperation agreements and content exchange in the short term, while building an integrated ecosystem for Arabic publishing and translation in the long term, one that would ensure a sustainable presence for Arabic works in international libraries and markets.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre asserts that its participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair goes beyond merely being present at a prominent global event; it embodies its commitment to the UAE’s cultural vision, and enables the establishment of practical partnerships and projects to develop the Arabic book sector and open wider horizons for international cooperation. This will ultimately have a positive impact on the local and regional cultural scene, paving the way for the next edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
This year, the Frankfurt Book Fair has chosen the Philippines as its Guest of Honour and is set to welcome over 4,300 exhibitors from 92 countries. The Fair is considered the most prominent global platform for communication among publishers and experts in creative industries – covering everything from cinema to gaming – with extensive opportunities for exchanging expertise and exploring new areas of cooperation.
