The fair also honours One Thousand and One Nights as the Book of the World, spotlighting its timeless literary influence and role in bridging Eastern and Western cultures
Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) will take place from April 26 to May 5, 2025, at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), this year’s fair embraces the theme “Knowledge Illuminates Our Community”, aiming to solidify the UAE capital’s reputation as a global cultural hub.
The 2025 ADIBF will host 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries and offer a dynamic programme of 2,000 activities tailored for readers, thinkers, publishers, and content creators. This expansive initiative reflects the UAE’s strategic vision of investing in cultural development, advancing the publishing industry, and fostering intercultural dialogue.
A key highlight of this year’s fair is the celebration of Ibn Sina (Avicenna) as the Focus Personality. The event marks 1,000 years since the publication of his seminal work, The Canon of Medicine — a cornerstone in global medical history. Visitors can expect exhibitions and panel discussions exploring Ibn Sina’s enduring contributions to science and human civilisation.
The fair also honours One Thousand and One Nights as the Book of the World, spotlighting its timeless literary influence and role in bridging Eastern and Western cultures. Complementing this is the selection of the Culture of the Caribbean Basin as the Guest of Honour, reinforcing ADIBF’s mission to build global cultural partnerships and celebrate diversity.
“The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair firmly positions the UAE capital on the map as a world-class destination for creativity and enlightened thought,” said Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC. “This year’s focus on Ibn Sina and One Thousand and One Nights reflects our commitment to celebrating Arab heritage and nurturing cross-cultural dialogue.”
The fair’s programming spans five central themes: Society, Fantasy, Sustainability, Arab Sciences, and Artificial Intelligence & Innovation. These themes guide a broad range of activities, including the inaugural Poetry Nights, which merge classical and Nabati poetry, and the third season of Podcast from Abu Dhabi, delivering engaging discussions on literary trends.
The event will also debut the Digitising Creativity Conference, exploring the convergence of artificial intelligence and the arts. Sessions will cover the impact of emerging technologies on publishing and creative industries, offering insights into future directions in global content creation. Cultural experiences will range from Black Box Cinema, showcasing Arabic short films, to live concerts, cooking demos, and photography workshops. The World’s Cuisine experience will offer a journey through global gastronomy, each dish narrating a story from its culture of origin.
Families and young visitors will find interactive and educational activities at the Children’s Oasis and Alpha Corner, while youth-targeted programmes aim to build skills and reinforce cultural identity through science and creativity.
The Guest of Honour Pavilion will spotlight Caribbean literature, music, and arts, while the Book Signing Corner provides a space for fans to meet authors. Literary debates will unfold in Under the Ghaf’s Shade, and networking opportunities will be offered in the Business Lounge, fostering collaboration among publishers and creatives.
The fair’s Professional Programme continues to promote sustainable publishing, spotlighting AI and digital tools, and enabling global cooperation among industry stakeholders. Through this initiative, ADIBF reinforces its position as an international hub for publishing, creativity, and knowledge.
Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision, the fair will launch new initiatives to support Arabic language literacy, reading culture, and emerging writers, helping to cultivate a new generation of storytellers and expand the contemporary Arabic literary landscape.
With its rich mix of heritage, innovation, and global dialogue, ADIBF 2025 promises to be a cornerstone cultural event, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to shaping a vibrant and inclusive intellectual future.
