The 33rd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), narrates tales from around the world, hosting a select group of Arab and international writers and thinkers, as part of a comprehensive cultural programme featuring a host of cultural, intellectual, and artistic events.

In its current edition, the fair offers a platform that brings together intellectual, literary, poetic, and artistic figures from around the world, with a dedicated section for translation, hosting professionals within the sector. The programme features a number of diverse and rich cultural sessions hosting thinkers, creators, and influencers. In addition to these, it celebrates the cultural legacy of figures who are deeply rooted in human thought.

As part of its cultural programme, the book fair will host a session to present the Arabic edition of the book ‘The Belt and Road Initiative’ by the Chinese President Xi Jinping. This session will be attended by HE Zhang Yi Ming, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE; HE Du Zhan Yuan, President of the China International Communications Group; Hu Kai Min, President of Foreign Language Press, China International Publishing Group; and Bashar Shabaro, Secretary-General of the Arab Publishers Association.

Journalist Hassan Alshazli will discuss the book ‘Kalila wa Dimna: From Manuscripts to Modern Literary Readings’, which has been selected as the book of the world in the current edition of the bookfair. The session will be attended by Dr. Mohamed Soliman, Head of the Cultural Communication Sector at Bibliotheca Alexandria; Chahrazad Alarabi, Author and Specialised Researcher; and Ehab Mallah, Journalist, Writer, and Critic, and Researcher specializing in heritage and cultural history.

Visitors to the bookfair will also have the opportunity to attend a session titled ‘The Arab-Chinese Platform for Publishing and Culture’ led by Dr. Ahmed ElSaid, Founder and CEO of Bayt Alhekma Cultural Group as well as Writer, Translator, and a Chinese Affairs Expert. Attending from the Chinese side will be Hu Kai Min, President of Foreign Language Press; and Gu Jun, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sinolingua, China International Publishing Group. Bashar Shabaro, Secretary-General of the Arab Publishers Association, and His Excellency Saeed Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, will also be present.

Delve into the stories and memories of Emirati students from the heart of Cairo during a session titled ‘Egypt in My Heart’. Moderated by journalist Sherif Amer, this session will feature Emirati Academic, Researcher, and Diplomat and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cultural and Scientific Association, His Excellency Bilal Al Budour; along with Lawyer Hussain Al Jaziri.

On the first day of the bookfair, the opening session will feature the launch of the Guest of Honour Programme, in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Neveen Al-Kilani, Egyptian Minister of Culture, and His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. The session will also be attended by His Excellency Dr. Sharif Mahmoud Eissa, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UAE and His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation. The session will be moderated by Ayesha Eid Almazrouei, Director of the Book Fairs and Events Department at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.

The bookfair celebrates Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz as the Guest of Honour, by dedicating several sessions highlighting the social and historical aspects embedded in his literature, including ‘Naguib Mahfouz: A Mirror of History and Society’ featuring a dialogue with Dr. Muhsin Al-Musawi,  Professor of Classical and Modern Arabic Literature at Columbia University in New York; Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandria; Dr. Mohammed Afify, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Cairo University; and Dr. Said Bensaid Al Alaoui, Honorary Professor at Mohammed University. The discussion will be moderated by Reem Bassiouney, Sheikh Zayed Book Award Literature Award winner.

On day 2 of the bookfair, the winners of the 18th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award will be featured in a dialogue chaired by His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, and moderated by Mr. Abdulrahman Alnaqbi, Director of Literary Awards Department at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. The participants of the session include Dr. Ahmed Somai, Translation award winner; Dr. Khalifa Alromaithi, Contribution to the Development of Nations award winner; Dr. Mustafa Said, Manuscripts award winner; Dr. Reem Bassiouney, Literature award winner; Dr. Houssem Eddine Chachia, Young Author award winner; Frank Griffel, Arab Culture in Other Languages award winner; in addition to Casa Aebe, Cultural Personality of the Year award winner, and Bayt AlHekma for Creative Industries - China, Publishing and Technology award winner. The cultural programme will also include a book signing ceremony for the award-winning books.

A roundtable discussion on day four will bring together writers, authors, and publishers to explore ‘The Prospects of Emirati Literature’, moderated by Asma Al Mutawaa, Author, Founder and Chair of Al Multaqa Literary Salon. The attendees of this session include Maisoon Saqer AlQasimi, Poet, Visual Artist, and Novelist, along with Jamal Matar, Author and Theatre Director; Jamal Al Shehhi, Author and Publisher; Ali Abureesh, Novelist and Poet; Hamad Al Hammadi, Author and Novelist; Ayesha Sultan, Author and Publisher; Reem Al Kamali, Novelist and Journalist; Salha Obeid, Author and Journalist; and Dr. Sultan Ameemi, Critic, Researcher, and Poet.

The rich cultural programme aims to elevate the choice for readers and visitors to the bookfair. Catering to their diverse interests and offering a wide array of options, both in terms of the topics discussed as well as the various activities targeting different age groups, the Abu Dhabi International Book fair has cemented its position as an intellectual and cultural hub, bringing together a host of voices to Abu Dhabi from all corners of the world.