The UAE’s creative industry – centred around the authors – took centre stage at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2025, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) from 26 April to 5 May under the theme "Knowledge Illuminates Our Community".

The Fair reported wide participation from stakeholders across the UAE’s cultural landscape, including publishing houses, authors, writers, thinkers, researchers, and intellectuals. Their active engagement was integral to the Fair’s diverse programme, designed to reach all segments of society and age groups, in line with the UAE’s designation of 2025 as the "Year of Community".

The ADIBF sought to promote the growth of the local literary industry and reinforce national cultural identity. It honoured a distinguished group of Emirati creatives who have made lasting contributions to the sector’s growth over the years, while encouraging emerging Emirati talent from across various cultural fields. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to sustainable cultural development and the advancement of the publishing sector.

The 34th edition of the Fair witnessed notable local engagement, with over 170 Emirati intellectuals and writers taking part in the programme’s sessions and workshops. A total of 275 Emirati exhibitors participated in the event, alongside 70 government entities, each contributing a range of activities. The Arts Corner featured 28 artists, 22 of whom were Emirati, while the World Cuisine Corner hosted 48 sessions, featuring contributions from 24 internationally renowned chefs, including 12 Emiratis.

A range of initiatives were launched at the ADIBF 2025 to support Emirati talent, most notably the "Self-Publisher" initiative, which brought together 20 Emirati writers. The initiative was designed to showcase the work of national authors, facilitate direct engagement with their audiences, and enhance their visibility within the publishing community. The initiative also aimed to foster sustainable partnerships with publishers and expand marketing opportunities for Emirati literary works.

His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the ADIBF, said: "The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair saw extensive local participation from all sectors across the UAE. This played a pivotal role in consolidating the Fair’s position as a global cultural and knowledge platform, through which the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre introduced a novel vision for spreading knowledge and ensuring access to it for all age groups and segments of the community. To that end, the Fair’s agenda featured a set of programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting the publishing sector and enriching the UAE’s publishing ecosystem with everything necessary for its continued advancement".

"The Fair also provided an opportunity for Emirati publishers to engage with their international counterparts, facilitating the exchange of expertise and dialogue on key issues and emerging trends in the publishing sector", HE Al Tunaiji added. "The Fair’s rich array of panel discussions, specialised workshops, and high-quality content provided essential knowledge for professionals in the field. It also offered various forms of support to enable Emirati publishers to hone their skills and capacities, contributing to the overall development of the industry".

"Emirati creative minds across a range of cultural and intellectual fields, including publishers, writers, poets, researchers, speakers, trainers, and cultural influencers, also maintained a strong presence at the Fair", HE noted. "The Fair’s programmes were designed to empower emerging talents in literature, culture, and the arts, offering training sessions and workshops to enhance their skills and creative capabilities. Moreover, a series of youth-focused activities were also introduced to explore and nurture their interests, preparing them to participate actively in the cultural and creative spheres".

"These efforts reinforced the Fair’s mission to foster a culturally engaged and creatively empowered generation, aligned with the UAE’s strategic vision for sustainable development", HE Al Tunaiji concluded.

The ADIBF 2025 welcomed several prominent Emirati figures from diverse fields, including HE Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation; HE Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council; Dr Sultan Al Amimi, Director of the Director of the Abu Dhabi Poetry Academy; and Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage.

The Fair also saw the distinguished participation of a wide range of national institutions and entities. Among them was the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, which organised a series of sessions designed to support Emirati intellectuals and researchers, bringing together a select group of participants and addressing critical topics relevant to Emirati society.

Furthermore, the agenda featured the active involvement of institutions such as TRENDS Research & Advisory, the Muslim Council of Elders, National Library and Archives, and Abu Dhabi Media Network, as well as numerous ministries and government entities. Their contributions added depth to the programme through seminars, lectures, and panel discussions, while also including the launch of various new publications and the signing of cooperation agreements.

The Fair opened its doors to pioneering community initiatives led by Emirati female intellectuals, such as the Sea of Culture Foundation, which hosted 40 cultural sessions featuring around 100 Emirati speakers who discussed pressing cultural and intellectual issues.

The Poetry Nights Majlis welcomed 60 Emirati poets, moderators, and researchers, including participants from the Million’s Poet and Prince of Poets competitions. The programme placed a strong focus on nurturing young poets, encouraging emerging talent, and spotlighting their creativity. Evenings dedicated to graduates of the Abu Dhabi Poetry Academy drew a large audience of poetry enthusiasts and reflected the deep connection between poetry and Emirati cultural identity.

Meanwhile, the Fair’s Educational Programme targeted children and youth, offering them sessions and workshops aligned with their interests, along with reading circles led by creative authors. The Professional Programme, for its part, reported high attendance from Emirati participants, and featured a series of specialised sessions and training workshops delivered by distinguished publishing industry experts. These sessions provided Emirati publishers and authors with a perfect opportunity to refine their skills and stay up to date with the latest innovations of the digital age.

The agenda also featured the "On the Path of Knowledge" initiative, which added a unique academic dimension, took prominent speakers from the Fair on a knowledge-sharing tour across seven local universities, adding a unique academic dimension. These speakers participated in interactive lectures covering literature, culture, innovation, and publishing, offering students a rare chance to engage directly with thought leaders, strengthening the connection between academia and the broader cultural scene.

Moreover, the Fair hosted book signings for Emirati authors of novels, short stories, and poetry, while the "Pioneers Among Us" initiative honoured Emirati artist Jassem Rabee Al Awadhi by publishing his book "Between Shadow and Light". On a similar note, the "Pioneers of Arabic Publishing" initiative recognised Dubai Library Distributors for their efforts over the course of 56 years.

Visitors to the 34th ADIBF found themselves were immersed in a nostalgic scene at the "Under the Ghaf Shades" corner, evoking the traditional gatherings of forefathers under the Ghaf tree – the UAE’s national tree, with a heritage spanning over 120 years. This corner revived a cherished ritual that connected people to their rich heritage, highlighting the cultural significance of the Ghaf tree for younger generations, and underlining the importance of literary figures in the community. Inspired by elements of folklore, the space was brought to life with an enchanting design: a blend of violet tones and patterns inspired by nature, crowned by the majestic Ghaf tree as a symbol of strength and authenticity.

The Fair capitalised on its large public turnout to launch the "100 Stories from Our Community" initiative, part of a nationwide campaign led by the ALC, the Fair’s organising body, to promote sustainable reading. The initiative sought to create inspiring stories rooted in the community to be published in a book that reflects the UAE’s values of tolerance and cultural diversity and highlights the importance of social cohesion. The initiative was open to talented individuals across the country aged 18 and above.

This wide array of pavilions and initiatives underscored the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair’s advanced position on the global cultural events map, asserting its role in enhancing the publishing industry worldwide. They also reaffirmed the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s commitment to supporting sustainability in the local cultural scene and creating a nurturing environment for Emirati creativity, in line with the "Year of Community" initiative and the UAE’s vision to empower its human capital and promote knowledge production.

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 provided a prominent opportunity to explore emerging trends in the publishing industry, strengthening the position of Emirati publishers in regional and international markets. It also offered a platform for promising talents to showcase their creations and network with authors and publishers from various countries around the world. These efforts, in effect, enhanced the UAE’s cultural presence, cementing its role as a nurturing environment for creativity and innovation, and establishing its capital, Abu Dhabi, as a global hub for culture and knowledge.