Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 opens with global participation

Abu Dhabi: Under the slogan ‘Knowledge Illuminates Our Community,’ the 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 (ADIBF), kicked off on Saturday morning.

On its opening day, the largest cultural event in Abu Dhabi witnessed a remarkable turnout of visitors, publishers, and literature and publishing enthusiasts. This year’s edition features participation from over 1,400 exhibitors representing 96 countries.

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has extended the fair’s duration to 10 days starting from its 34th edition, which will take place till May 5.

The fair this year brings together more than 60 languages under one roof, highlighting the richness of content and opening wide avenues for intercultural dialogue and intellectual exchange. This year is particularly marked by the debut participation of 20 countries, from four different continents, collectively representing over 25 languages, making up 21% of the total number of participating nations.

As part of its mission to preserve and promote Arab culture and recognise the pioneers of knowledge production, the ADIBF 2025 is honouring the enduring legacy of Arab publishing, while nurturing the literary talents shaping its future.

In recognition of their pivotal role in building Arab intellectual consciousness and enhancing the presence of Arab culture both locally and globally, the Fair will pay tribute to six pioneering Arab publishing houses. These publishers have, for decades, contributed significantly to book production and marketing, promoted reading, enriched Arabic content, and played an active role in the development of book fairs across the region.

This honour is rooted in their rich histories and influential contributions to the publishing industry. The list includes long-standing institutions, the oldest of which dates back over 160 years:

Dar Sader, Lebanon: Established in 1863

Dar Al Maarif, Egypt: Established in 1890

Dar Al Fikr, Syria: Established in 1957

Dubai Library, UAE: Established in 1969

That Al Salasil, Kuwait: Established in 1972

Dar Al Shorok, Jordan: Established in 1979

The Fair will also present a visual narrative of each house’s journey, highlighting its milestones and challenges, affirming Abu Dhabi’s role as a custodian of Arab publishing heritage.

Alongside this historical recognition, the Fair looks ahead to the future of the Arabic book with its Self-Publisher Initiative, which aims to empower Emirati authors to take their first steps into the world of publishing independently.

The initiative offers visibility for their works, marketing opportunities, new partnerships, and direct engagement with readers. It particularly focuses on encouraging youth to unleash their literary, intellectual, and creative potential.

This year’s participating self-publishers include:

Ali Abu Al Reesh and Hazzaa Abu Al Reesh

Fatima Al Suwaidi and Noura Al Suwaidi

Hind Al Musallam and Sara Al Shamsi

Dr Athba Al Mazzrouei and Essa Al Yellili

Alfai Al Marzooqi and Hamad Al Marzooqi

Aisha Al Fahim

Meera Al Mansoori

Misk Waheeb

In total, the fair has welcomed publishers from 20 new countries across four continents, speaking more than 25 languages. It hosts 28 international pavilions, 87 local and international government entities, 13 author-publishers, 15 universities, and 8 initiatives dedicated to supporting the publishing industry.