ALC displays Kalima Project’s top titles at London Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is participating in the 55th edition of the London Book Fair, one of the world’s leading annual professional gatherings for the publishing industry, taking place from 10 to 12 March 2026 at Olympia London.

At its pavilion, the Centre will be showcasing a selection of prominent titles from its Kalima Project for Translation and Esdarat for Arabic publishing.

As part of the Centre’s digital transformation drive, the pavilion also features e-books and audiobooks, which visitors can downloadvia QR codes.

These codes link to the Digital Arabic Library page, which the ALC recently launched in collaboration with Amazon to provide thousands of e-books and audiobooks, broaden the reach of Arabic written works, and strengthen the global presence of Arab culture.

The Centre’s programme includes meetings and discussions with leaders in the global creative industries and publishing sectors, designed to enhance cooperation with international publishers, strengthen existing relations with British and international publishing houses, and build new partnerships.

The agenda also includes the signing of several copyright agreements between the Kalima Project for Translation and global publishing houses.

Furthermore, the ALC’s pavilion will be hosting a cultural programme featuring sessions organised in collaboration with strategic partners that bring together prominent intellectuals, translators, and authors.

The sessions will highlight the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and “From Kalima to the World” – a project the Centre launched in 2025 to translate Arabic foundational works and literature into other languages, with the aim of building bridges of cultural dialogue and highlighting Arab human heritage. Additionally, the pavilion will host sessions organised by the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

The ALC is committed to participating in the London Book Fair annually to highlight its pioneering role in advancing the presence of the Arabic language, expanding its use among native and non-native speakers, and promoting its distinguished projects.

Recently, the Kalima School Reading Club programme at the ALC pressed ahead with its 2026 cultural and knowledge agenda, in collaboration with the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE), to double the number of Abu Dhabi school students who benefit from its activities.

This forms part of the club’s efforts, during the second phase of the Community Campaign to Promote Sustainable Reading, to encourage a culture of reading among students and transform it into a sustainable practice.

The ALC, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, was established by a law issued by the President of the United Arab Emirates, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to promote the Arabic language, set general strategies for its scientific, educational, cultural and creative development, and enhance cultural communication and Arabic language proficiency at the local and international levels. It also aims to support Arab talents in the fields of writing, translation, publishing, scientific research, and audiovisual content creation. It plays a key role in organising book fairs and supporting the publishing industry in the region.

To achieve this, the Centre relies on dedicated programmes, the expertise of its teams, and partnerships with prestigious technical, cultural, and academic institutions around the world.

The DCT Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture, tourism and creative sectors, fuelling economic progress and helping achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi aims to unify the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential. It helps coordinate efforts and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture and tourism industries in the emirate.