Meet authors and grab a bargain at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2025
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 34th edition of the mega book fair from the event calendar to the prominent visitors.
ABOUT THE ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
The international book fair in Abu Dhabi is a significant annual literary festival and one of the highly anticipated annual events in Abu Dhabi. In 1981, the first Abu Dhabi International Book Fair took place under the moniker “Islamic Book Fair.” The late Founding Father of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, sponsored the event.
Since then, literary experts from across the world congregate in Abu Dhabi every year, making it the global marketplace for rights negotiations, licencing agreements and more.
Book lovers, techies and other curious public members participate in dynamic sessions with world-renowned speakers, tech demos and other amazing events.
This year, exhibitors at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair can look forward to more visitors from the UAE and MENA region.
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 the details regarding Abu Dhabi Book Fair location and dates:
- Dates: 26th April to 5th May 2025
- Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
HIGHLIGHTS OF ADIBF 2025
The programmes are divided into five categories: Inspire, Create, Learn, Develop and Explore.
PROGRAMMES AT THE ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
The events include dialogue sessions, seminars and cultural and intellectual meetups. Following are all the programmes that the fair will host. This year, the programme focuses on the late literary personality and renowned philosopher Ibn Sina.
Primary Venues
Here are the venues for the ADIBF 2025 at ADNEC:
- Conference Hall B
- Main Stage – Hall 10
- Podcast from Abu Dhabi – Hall 8
- World Cuisine Corner – Hall 12
SCHEDULE
The ADIBF 2025 has been extended to 10 days, giving global and local authors more time to share their works.
Here are some of the featured panels and events that are scheduled for the fair’s 2025 edition. The main focus will be Ibn Sina’s contributions to science, medicine and philosophy.
Events on April 29th
- Naguib Mahfouz: A Mirror of History and Society
- Catalyst for Change: Dr. Khalid Ghattass’ Formula for Life
- Reading Journeys from Rawafed to Kalima – Podcast from Abu Dhabi
- From Algorithms to Enlightenment: How AI Fuels Spiritual Growth and Wellness
Events on April 30th
- Mahfouz’s Novels in a Fresh Light (Launching Illustrated Novels of Naguib Mahfouz)
- The Nights Preceding One Thousand and One Nights – Podcast from Abu Dhabi
Events on May 1st
- Melodies of Naguib Mahfouz
- Finjan Al Kayf, Al Saif and Al Daif: The Three Cups of Emirati Hospitality by Nooran Albannay
- From Virtual to Reality – Dark Side Podcast
Events on May 2nd
- The Power of Now: Power Dynamics – Avoiding Time Traps – PaperSamwich Podcast
- The Unrepeatable
- Leadership Under Fire: The Legacy of Charles De Gaulle
Events on May 3rd
- Ibn Sina: A Genius Mind – History on the Margin Podcast
- Social Responsibility: Experiences from Gulf Organisations – Social Responsibility Podcast
- The Greek Secret to Healthy Living with Chef Maria Loi
Events on May 4th
- Towards a More Balanced World: New Perspectives on Sustainability
- The Art of Healthy Living by Dr. Nourhan Kandil
- Ancient Crafts, Modern Vision: The Azza Fahmy Story
Events on May 5th
- Arab Ethics Before Islam: Deep Rooted Values or a Cultural Transformation?: Edrak Media
- Ful and Teameya: How can Comedy Deliver a Message? Edrak Media
A full list of upcoming events and sessions can be found on the ADIBF official website.
FAQS
WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THE EXHIBITIONS?
The exhibition will take place from 26th April to 5th May 2025.
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 sq.m.
HOW CAN I REGISTER AS AN EXHIBITOR?
Registration for the 34th ADIBF edition is open. For information on packages and costs, send an email to 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 for our guide to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025. 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. You’ll undoubtedly find a literary retreat in their varied assortment of literature.
The featured image is courtesy of ADIBF’s official website.
