Abu Dhabi Book Fair returns with Ibn Sina tribute, honours One Thousand and One Nights, and focuses on AI

Abu Dhabi: The 34^th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) will celebrate renowned polymath Ibn Sina, the timeless classic ‘One Thousand and One Nights’, Caribbean culture as this year’s Guest of Honour.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the fair will take place from April 26 to May 5 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) under the theme ‘Knowledge Illuminates Our Community’, the fair will host 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries and feature a diverse programme of 2,000 activities catering to the interests of readers, thinkers, publishers, and content creators. The cultural and literary activities fall under five broad themes, including society, fantasy, sustainability, Arab sciences, and AI and Innovation.

Focus personality
This year’s Focus Personality is the legendary polymath Ibn Sina, commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of his groundbreaking work ‘The Canon of Medicine’. Recognised as one of the most influential texts in medical history, the book marked a major milestone in global medical advancement. Panel discussions and interactive exhibits will highlight Ibn Sina’s enduring legacy, his philosophical and scientific achievements, and his impact on human civilisation.

Book of the world
The fair will also honour ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ as the ‘Book of the World’, celebrating its timeless appeal, cross-cultural influence, and continued inspiration for writers, artists, and creatives across generations.

Guest of honour
Caribbean culture takes centre stage as this year’s Guest of Honour, highlighting the UAE’s commitment to fostering global cultural partnerships. This engagement aims to deepen intercultural dialogue and further reinforce Abu Dhabi’s status as a hub for intellectual and cultural exchange.

Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said the fair positions Abu Dhabi on the map as a world-class destination for creativity and enlightened thought.
“The growing international interest in the creative industries calls for the development of both traditional and digital publishing processes, and this is an objective that the fair aims to achieve by organising workshops and discussions with international experts to forecast the future of the book industry, thus ensuring that the fair keeps pace with global developments in the publishing sector.”

Poetry, podcasts and AI
The Poetry Nights Majlis combines classical and Nabati poetry through innovative literary debates. Other activities include the third season of Podcast from Abu Dhabi, the inaugural Digitising Creativity conference, which explores the intersection of AI and the arts.
Visitors can also enjoy a wide array of interactive experiences – from cooking demos and cinema screenings to photography workshops and a live concert by renowned artists.

Programmes for children, youth

Young visitors will find immersive, educational spaces designed to foster a love for the Arabic language and cultural heritage. The Alpha Corner will host fun, hands-on workshops, while youth programmes offer creative and scientific activities that enhance skills and cultural identity. The ADIBF Professional Programme supports innovation in the publishing and creative industries, with a strong focus on AI, sustainability, and global collaboration.