Abu dhabi: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, visited the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair today. The 35th edition of the Fair, which opened on 13th September 2026, is set to run until 18th September at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
According to Emirates News Agency, during his visit, Sheikh Nahyan toured several pavilions and publishing houses, engaging with Arab and international publishers. His interactions are aimed at reinforcing the Fair's reputation and promoting the Arabic language through cultural initiatives and high-quality publications that enhance knowledge and cultural awareness across society.
The tour included stops at the Balkan Culture Pavilion, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre pavilion, the Emirati Pioneers pavilion celebrating cultural figure Mohammed Al Murr, the Abu Dhabi Culture Pavilion, the German Pavilion, the Sharjah Book Authority pavilion, the Motivate Media Group pavilion, Al Farahidi Stage, the Sandooq Al Watan pavilion, and the Al Ain University pavilion. Sheikh Nahyan explored the publications and initiatives presented by these pavilions, gaining insights into the latest efforts in publishing, reading, and translation that aim to promote Arab culture globally.
Sheikh Nahyan also participated in various cultural, knowledge-based, artistic, and educational events and programmes at the Fair. These included seminars, panel discussions, workshops, and activities targeting different segments of society. Such events are designed to foster knowledge and reading while bolstering the cultural and creative industries.
Throughout his visit, Sheikh Nahyan expressed appreciation for the Fair's extensive cultural and intellectual offerings. He commended the Fair's organisation, the diversity of participation from local, Arab, and international entities, and the quality of its programmes and events, which highlight Abu Dhabi's status as a global cultural hub.
The event is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, under the theme 'Turn the Page, Read the World'. It features 1,200 exhibitors from 95 countries, alongside a distinguished array of writers, thinkers, academics, publishers, and creatives. The Fair's programme includes approximately 1,500 events focusing on cultural, knowledge-based, artistic, and educational themes.
This year's Fair aims to widen horizons for reading and knowledge, transforming books into a medium for dialogue and cultural engagement. The Balkan Culture, in collaboration with the Republic of North Macedonia, is honoured as the Guest of Honour, fostering dialogue between Emirati and Arab creatives and their Balkan counterparts. This highlights the Fair's international dimension and its role in cultural communication.
The Fair also recognizes Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi as the Focus Personality for his contributions to the Arabic language, and it celebrates 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes as the Book of the World, honoring a work that bridges cultural divides.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, through its initiatives, seeks to bolster the status of the Arabic language, support reading and books, empower creatives and publishers, and anticipate the future of cultural and creative industries. These efforts align with global publishing transformations and strengthen culture's role in building a knowledge-based economy while positioning Abu Dhabi as a cultural dialogue platform.