16th edition of Al Ain Book Festival opens

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has inaugurated the 16th edition of the Al Ain Book Festival.

The festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) under the theme “All Eyes on Al Ain,” will run until 30th November at Al Ain Square and several key venues across the city.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan toured the festival site and reviewed cultural programmes and events hosted this year, as well as the latest publications presented by local and Arab publishing houses.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan was accompanied by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi); Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi; Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of ALC; and Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of ALC.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan listened to a presentation on new initiatives launched to enhance the festival’s role in developing cultural activity and supporting the book industry.

He also met publishers and writers, and listened to their perspectives on challenges facing the sector in light of digital transformations, as well as opportunities to expand the reach of Arabic content and strengthen its presence in global markets.

“The patronage of Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, for Al Ain Book Festival 2025 reflects the Abu Dhabi leadership’s continued commitment to culture as a cornerstone of national development and community cohesion,” Al Mubarak said.

He added that the festival is a key driver of cultural tourism and the creative economy in the Al Ain Region, aligning with the objectives of the Year of Community 2025. Events such as these reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a cultural capital that nurtures creativity across all segments of the community, ensuring that culture remains a shared, living part of our everyday lives.

Dr. Tamim said that the festival is a key platform for strengthening the Arabic language as a pillar of national identity and for empowering new generations to participate confidently in global cultural conversations.

With each edition, the festival deepens the community’s bond with reading, celebrates Emirati heritage, and creates a vibrant space filled with arts, music, and creative exchange.

“It has firmly established itself as a hub for meaningful cultural dialogue and a showcase for Emirati authors and publishers,” he noted.

Dr. Tamim added, “Supported by the UAE’s visionary leadership and thriving cultural institutions, the nation’s publishing sector continues to grow.

The festival builds on this momentum by providing opportunities for local publishers to connect with readers and peers across the region and beyond, ensuring Emirati literature finds its voice on both Arab and international stages.”

WAM