ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 will expand its role beyond books and publishing with two new initiatives designed to strengthen the UAE’s reading culture and create a dedicated platform for Emirati writers and intellectuals.
The Reading Retreat 2026 and the National Gathering of Emirati Writers and Intellectuals will form part of the Ministry of Culture’s programme during the six-day fair, which runs from September 13 to 18 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The fair is being held under the theme “Turn the Page, Read the World” and is expected to feature about 1,500 events and exhibitors from 95 countries.
New platform for Emirati literary voices
The National Gathering of Emirati Writers and Intellectuals is planned as an annual forum connecting Emirati authors, publishers, thinkers and creatives with government officials and decision-makers.
Its discussions will address practical issues affecting writers and the publishing industry, while examining ways to increase the reach of Emirati literature within the UAE and overseas.
That makes the gathering distinct from a conventional book-fair programme. Rather than focusing only on literary appearances and book launches, it is intended to provide a forum where members of the cultural sector can discuss the conditions in which writing and publishing develop.
The initiative also comes as Abu Dhabi continues to position its international book fair as a meeting point for the wider publishing and cultural industries. The 2026 edition will bring together exhibitors from 95 countries and around 1,500 events, including literary and cultural programming.
Reading Retreat looks at the next decade
The Reading Retreat 2026 will take a longer view of the UAE’s reading landscape.
The initiative marks a decade since 2016, when the UAE declared the Year of Reading and introduced the Reading Law. According to the Ministry of Culture programme outlined for the fair, the retreat will examine how reading habits and the wider reading environment have changed during those 10 years.
It will also consider priorities for the period from 2027 to 2037, effectively placing the country’s reading agenda on a new 10-year horizon.
Artificial intelligence and digitalisation are among the subjects included in the programme, alongside the role of families in encouraging children to read, cultural grants, heritage, and support for publishers and creatives.
The programme therefore reflects changes in how people encounter books and information. Reading policy today extends beyond physical books to include digital platforms, emerging technologies, family habits and the wider creative economy.
Children and young readers included in programme
The fair’s cultural programme will also include activities aimed at younger audiences.
Youth activities are planned with the UAE Youth Council for Culture and National Identity, while children’s reading sessions and workshops will be organised in partnership with the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
The broader fair programme has already included initiatives aimed at bringing books closer to students. From September 7 to 11, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s The Next Chapter programme is connecting around 1,000 students from five Abu Dhabi educational institutions with authors, thinkers and other cultural figures ahead of the main fair.
Emirati books and cultural projects in spotlight
Visitors to the Abu Dhabi Book Fair will also be able to explore Emirati publications, including works supported through the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity.
Authors whose work has received support through the programme will take part in book-signing events, while works associated with the Al Burda Award in Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation will also be displayed. The Ministry of Culture is additionally expected to announce new cultural projects and cooperation agreements during the fair.
The initiatives come alongside a wider expansion of the fair’s international reach. Seven countries — Kosovo, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Cuba — are participating in the 2026 edition for the first time, bringing the total international participation to 95 countries.
Another new initiative at this year’s fair is Emirati Pioneers, an annual project dedicated to documenting the experiences of leading figures in UAE culture and thought. The first honouree is Mohammed Al Murr, chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation.
For UAE readers and the country’s literary community, the 2026 fair consequently offers two connected conversations: how reading should evolve over the coming decade, and how Emirati writers and cultural practitioners can be better supported as part of that future.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at ADNEC from September 13 to 18, 2026.
What is happening at Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026?
The 2026 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will introduce two initiatives focused on reading and Emirati literary talent: the Reading Retreat 2026 and the National Gathering of Emirati Writers and Intellectuals.
When is Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026?
The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place from September 13 to 18, 2026, at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
What is the National Gathering of Emirati Writers and Intellectuals?
It is a new annual platform intended to bring Emirati writers, publishers, thinkers and creatives together with government officials and decision-makers to discuss challenges and opportunities in writing and publishing.
What is the Reading Retreat 2026?
The Reading Retreat 2026 will examine how reading habits and the UAE’s reading environment have changed since the 2016 Year of Reading and consider priorities for 2027–2037.
Will AI be discussed at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair?
Yes. Artificial intelligence and digitalisation are included among the subjects covered in the Ministry of Culture’s programme.
How many countries are participating in Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026?
The fair is bringing exhibitors from 95 countries. Seven countries are participating for the first time in 2026.
How many events are planned?
The 2026 edition is scheduled to feature around 1,500 events involving writers, thinkers, academics and cultural figures.
Who is the first Emirati Pioneers honouree?
Mohammed Al Murr, chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, has been selected as the first honouree of the new Emirati Pioneers initiative.
