170 Emirati authors drive cultural dialogue at ADIBF

The UAE’s creative industry – centred around the authors – took centre stage at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2025, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) from April 26 April to May 5 under the theme “Knowledge Illuminates Our Community.”

The fair reported wide participation from stakeholders across the UAE’s cultural landscape, including publishing houses, authors, writers, thinkers, researchers, and intellectuals.

Their active engagement was integral to the fair’s diverse programme, designed to reach all segments of society and age groups, in line with the UAE’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of Community.”

The ADIBF sought to promote the growth of the local literary industry and reinforce national cultural identity.

It honoured a distinguished group of Emirati creatives who have made lasting contributions to the sector’s growth over the years, while encouraging emerging Emirati talent from across various cultural fields. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to sustainable cultural development and the advancement of the publishing sector.

The 34th edition of the fair witnessed notable local engagement, with over 170 Emirati intellectuals and writers taking part in the programme’s sessions and workshops.

A total of 275 Emirati exhibitors participated in the event, alongside 70 government entities, each contributing a range of activities. The Arts Corner featured 28 artists, 22 of whom were Emirati, while the World Cuisine Corner hosted 48 sessions, featuring contributions from 24 internationally renowned chefs, including 12 Emiratis.

A range of initiatives were launched at the ADIBF 2025 to support Emirati talent, most notably the “Self-Publisher” initiative, which brought together 20 Emirati writers.

The initiative was designed to showcase the work of national authors, facilitate direct engagement with their audiences, and enhance their visibility within the publishing community. The initiative also aimed to foster sustainable partnerships with publishers and expand marketing opportunities for Emirati literary works.

Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the ADIBF, said: “The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair saw extensive local participation from all sectors across the UAE. This played a pivotal role in consolidating the fair’s position as a global cultural and knowledge platform, through which the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre introduced a novel vision for spreading knowledge and ensuring access to it for all age groups and segments of the community. To that end, the fair’s agenda featured a set of programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting the publishing sector and enriching the UAE’s publishing ecosystem with everything necessary for its continued advancement.”

“The fair also provided an opportunity for Emirati publishers to engage with their international counterparts, facilitating the exchange of expertise and dialogue on key issues and emerging trends in the publishing sector,” Al Tunaiji added.

“The fair’s rich array of panel discussions, specialised workshops, and high-quality content provided essential knowledge for professionals in the field. It also offered various forms of support to enable Emirati publishers to hone their skills and capacities, contributing to the overall development of the industry.”

“Emirati creatives across a range of cultural and intellectual fields, including publishers, writers, poets, researchers, speakers, trainers, and cultural influencers, also maintained a strong presence at the fair,” he noted.

“The fair’s programmes were designed to empower emerging talents in literature, culture, and the arts, offering training sessions and workshops to enhance their skills and creative capabilities. Moreover, a series of youth-focused activities were also introduced to explore and nurture their interests, preparing them to participate actively in the cultural and creative spheres.”

“These efforts reinforced the fair’s mission to foster a culturally engaged and creatively empowered generation, aligned with the UAE’s strategic vision for sustainable development,” Al Tunaiji concluded.