Meet authors and grab a bargain at Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2024
Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming the epicentre of the Arab book trade and a key gathering place for booksellers, publishers and distributors from the Gulf region and beyond. The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is one such platform that brings together major stakeholders in the publishing industry every year. Here is all the information about the 33rd edition of the mega book fair from the event calendar to the prominent visitors.
ABOUT THE ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
ADIBF is a significant annual literary festival that attracts roughly 150,000 people. In 1981, the first Abu Dhabi International Book Fair took place under the moniker “Islamic Book Fair”. The late founding father of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan sponsored the event.
Since then, every year, literary experts from across the world congregate in Abu Dhabi, making it the global marketplace for rights negotiations, licencing agreements and more.
Book lovers, techies and other curious members of the public take part in dynamic sessions with world-renowned speakers, tech demos and other amazing events.
This year, exhibitors at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair can look forward to an even bigger number of visitors from the UAE and MENA regions.
Tickets, Dates and Location
The ADIBF is free for all. However, prospective visitors are required to register for entry on the event’s official website. Here are Abu Dhabi Book Fair location and dates:
- Dates: 29th April to 5th May 2024
- Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
HIGHLIGHTS OF ADIBF 2024
This year’s exhibition is all about learning, inspiration and fun. The theme of the fair this time is “Where the World’s Tales Unfold.” It will be organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC).
The programmes are divided into five categories: Inspire, Create, Learn, Develop and Explore.
PROGRAMMES IN ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
More than a thousand publishers from above 80 countries will be participating in the fair. The events include dialogue sessions, seminars, cultural and intellectual meetups. Following are all the programmes that the fair will host. The programme’s focus personality this year is the late literary personality Naguib Mahfouz.
INSPIRE: CULTURAL PROGRAMME
The Cultural Programme is the most extensive of the ADIBF 2024 events. The 2024 edition will also welcome the inclusion of new sections in the fair. This includes the Debates section which will be first in the Arab world to run according to the Oxford method.
A variety of presenters and keynote speakers will discuss many disciplines of culture, arts, literature and cultural affairs. Some of the highlights of these programmes include poetry readings, podcasts, intellectual and critical debates, analytical talks and literary workshops.
CREATE: CREATIVE ARTS PROGRAMME
The Art Corner features a diverse collection of works by established and rising artists from around the world. It provides an excellent opportunity to connect with visual artists, designers and publishers. Through this platform, the artist community will come together to share ideas, learn new techniques and invest in tool development projects.
The upcoming edition of the programme also features new sections like the Fantasia Experience. It will feature movie posters and photographs of the event’s focus personality.
Another highlight of the Create section is the Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight experience and will exhibit the real Batmobile from the 1989 film.
LEARN: CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMME
The children and youth programmes are designed to encourage learning in a fun setting. They leverage the power of edutainment to ensure participants get the most out of every minute with an entertaining roster of sessions, workshops and activities. A highlight is the Children’s Oasis where kids can enjoy episodes of Blippi Wonders.
DEVELOP: PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME
The Professional Program provides participants with excellent opportunities to develop and refine their skills in the fields of arts, culture, literature and publishing. The programme includes various activities, such as workshops, seminars and specialised lectures.
This year’s programme will support Arab as well as international publishers apart from AI and the digital field.
DISCOVER: PARTNERS AND EXHIBITORS PROGRAMME
Through the Partners Programme, the organisers highlight the significant contribution of their government partners. They also acknowledge the important contribution that the exhibitors have played in assembling a wide variety of well-liked and brand-new books for visitors to enjoy.
OTHER PROGRAMMES
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has traditionally prioritised youth, school and university student participation. The educational programme, a significant component of the ADIBF 2024, reflects this objective. It encourages people to enhance their creative skills and participate in creative and inventive activities in different fields.
BOOK SIGNINGS
This event is a chance to grab the first copies of your favourite authors’ books. There will be corners in the fair, where notable writers and artists from around the world will be signing their work.
E-ZONE
The exhibition focuses on digital publishing and therefore, it has an entire section dedicated to this field. The E-Zone will host a series of sessions and events related to the most prominent social media trends and experiences related to the digital publishing market.
SCHEDULE
Here are some of the panels and events that are scheduled for the fair’s 2024 edition.
Events on April 29th
- Naguib Mahfouz: A Mirror of History and Society
- Exploring the Dynamic Interplay of Architecture and Nature
- Atr Al Sahab, with the Poet Saif Al Saadi
Events on April 30th
- Editing and Proofreading with Artificial Intelligence
- The Sheikh Zayed Book Award: 18th Awards Presentation Ceremony
- Content + AI: The Future is Now
- The International Prize for Public Fiction (IPAF)
- Between the Novelist and the Screenwriter: Thresholds of Joy
Events on May 1st
- The Rise of AI in Book Cover Design
- Bridging Continents: Publishing as an Industry of Peace
- Arabic Poetry and AI
- Melodies of Naguib Mahfouz
- Muhammad Bin Zayed: Guardian of the Green Heritage
- A Hundred Fossils and a Fossil: A Lecture on the History of Abu Dhabi
A full list of upcoming events and sessions can be found on the the ADIBF official website.
FAQS
WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THE EXHIBITIONS?
The exhibition will take place from 29th April to 5th May 2024.
WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF THE FAIR?
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair takes place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), a multi-award-winning site with superb amenities spread over 142,226 square metres.
HOW CAN I REGISTER AS AN EXHIBITOR?
Registration for the 33rd ADIBF edition is open. For information on packages and costs, email at info@adbookfair.com.
WHAT ARE THE POPULAR PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN ABU DHABI?
There are many public libraries in Abu Dhabi. These include Khalifa Park Library, Al Bahia Park Library and Al Marfa Library.
And that’s a wrap to our guide on Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024. Promoting the culture of reading and creativity, ADIBF is an excellent networking platform for the region’s publishing industry. Bibliophiles and book lovers in the capital looking for their next good read can also browse the bookstores in Abu Dhabi. In their varied assortment of literature, you’ll undoubtedly find a literary retreat.
The featured image is courtesy of ADIBF’s official website.
