Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, today inaugurated the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, bringing together publishers, writers, intellectuals and cultural figures from around the world in a major celebration of books, knowledge and cultural exchange.
Organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the fair runs until September 18 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) under the theme “Turn the Page and Read the World.” The 2026 edition features participants from 95 countries and a programme of around 1,500 cultural, literary and professional events.
The fair’s programme reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global cultural hub, bringing together Arab and international voices while placing particular emphasis on Arabic language, literary heritage and the preservation of cultural memory. Balkan culture is being celebrated as Guest of Honour, while the renowned Arab philologist Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi has been selected as the edition’s central cultural figure. Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote has also been chosen as the “Book of the World.”
Among the highlights of the cultural programme is “Layali Al Shi’r” (Poetry Nights), which this year celebrates the traditional Emirati art of “Al-Ahila,” bringing together poets, researchers, critics and media professionals in a series of poetry evenings and literary discussions.
The programme combines the richness of Emirati poetic heritage with voices from across the Arab world and beyond, featuring sessions exploring the relationship between poetry, identity and place, the presence of Arabic poetry in foreign languages, and contemporary poetic expression. A dedicated session, “Al-Ahila at UNESCO,” examines the traditional art and its cultural significance.
“Poems and Music from the Cultures of the World” further expands the programme’s international dimension, bringing together poets from India, Türkiye and Egypt alongside musicians playing the sitar, ney and oud, creating a dialogue between poetry, music and diverse cultural traditions.
The programme also pays tribute to leading figures in Arabic and Emirati poetry, including the late poet Habib Al Sayegh, while examining Emirati Nabati poetry, the history of Arabic poetic meters and the enduring influence of the Arab linguistic heritage. Literary sessions also address translation, literary criticism, cultural memory, the role of women in transmitting heritage across generations and the representation of the family in Arab drama.
As part of the cultural activities accompanying the fair, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre also organized the musical evening “Naseetouna Habayebna” (“Our Loved Ones, You Have Forgotten Us”), celebrating the legacy of the late Emirati singer and composer Jaber Jassem on the 25th anniversary of his passing.
Held at the Cultural Foundation, the evening revisited some of the most significant chapters of Jaber Jassem’s artistic career and his contribution to shaping the modern Emirati song. Archival material and short films traced his artistic journey, including his experience in Cairo and his search for the spirit of Emirati identity and the richness of Arabic poetry.
Artists Aryam, Sultan Al Samarrai, Faisal Al Sari, Khalifa Al Hori, Majed Jameel, Ali Al Rabia and Mohammed Salem performed a selection of Jaber Jassem’s best-known songs, including “Ghazeel Falla,” “Ah Ya Wayli Min Tasawibak” and “Sidi Ya Sayyid Sadati.”
The evening also featured the premiere of a new musical work in Classical Arabic, inspired by Jaber Jassem’s artistic spirit and reinterpreted through a contemporary musical vision, connecting his enduring legacy with younger generations.
Through its diverse programme, the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to position the book as a gateway to cultural dialogue, while bringing literature into conversation with poetry, music, heritage and the creative industries. The event reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader commitment to preserving cultural heritage, supporting Arabic language and literature, and creating a platform where local traditions meet global cultural expression.
TunisianMonitorNews ( Douha Essaafi)
