BackSheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his soul) inaugurates the first edition under the name "Islamic Book Fair"
The Cultural Foundation.
50 publishers
2 countries
About the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Established in 1981, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is a leading global cultural platform that brings together publishers, intellectuals, scholars, libraries, agents, and cultural and media institutions to exchange ideas and experiences, explore opportunities, and foster communication and collaboration in the publishing sector and creative industries.
This annual event hosts Arab regional and international publishers and offers a comprehensive cultural and intellectual programme covering professional, educational, creative, and entertainment domains. In addition, ADIBF hosts activities, lectures, panel discussions, and specialised workshops featuring distinguished literary figures and intellectuals from different fields. This contributes to the development of the publishing sector and the creative industries, bolsters the capabilities of local and Arab publishers, and opens new horizons for them.
About Sheikh Zayed Book Award
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award commemorates the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and his pioneering role in promoting national unity and development. The Award, and its associated accolades, are presented annually to outstanding writers, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as young talent whose writing and translation in humanities objectively enriches Arab intellectual, cultural, literary and social life.The Sheikh Zayed Book Award at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, is an independent cultural initiative administered by Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.
International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries
The International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries is a professional annual event, organized by Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. The Congress commenced with its inaugural edition in 2022, aimed to establish a think-tank and a knowledge sharing hub for the regional and global publishing and creative content developers, towards facilitating a cross-disciplinary conversation to showcase the latest trends in publishing, highlighting the adaptation of books into other formats.The Congress is the first in the Arabic publishing world to facilitate conversation between publishers, content creators, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs from different platforms. The event explores prominent topics and themes into how different media can thrive as the business of storytelling evolves.
Through keynote presentations and panel discussions joining, in addition to matchmakings/meetings between publishers and creative industry representatives, the Congress provides a platform to discuss and explore cooperation, connections and partnerships, and create business opportunities between different regions and industries.
Chronological developments of the ADIBF
1981
1986
Renamed "Abu Dhabi Book Fair"
The Cultural Foundation
70 publishers
2 countries
1988
The Cultural Foundation
80 publishers
10 Arab countries
1993
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
Abu Dhabi Book Fair becomes an annual event
1994
Participation of major publishing houses and cultural figures at the Arab and regional levels
1995
The Cultural Foundation
Adoption of organizational participation criteria
1996
200 publishers
30 countries
1997
The Cultural Foundation
200 publishers
1998
60,000 titles selected according to quality standards
1999
The emergence of multimedia
Support of Palestinian libraries with publications
2000
Increase in the number of new releases at the exhibition
2001
514 publishers
2002
600 publishers
2003
Launched as part of a mini book fair system
Organization of intellectual seminars
2004
Cultural and artistic event programme
Book signing sessions for new releases
2005
The edition named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
2006
Transferred to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage is responsible for organizing the Fair
2007
399 publishers
46 countries
1000 cultural figures
2008
482 publishers
42 countries
2009
The Arab E-Library was launched
637 publishers
52 countries
2010
800 publishers
68 countries
1200 cultural figures
The emergence of the electronic publishing corner
2011
France is the guest of honour for the first time
875 publishers
58 countries
1250 cultural figures
2012
The UK is the guest of honour
900 publishers
54 countries
The Arab Literary Rights Initiative is launched
2013
1025 publishers
51 countries
2014
Sweden is the guest of honour
1050 publishers
The Focus Personality Programme is launched for the first time: Al Mutanabbi
2015
Silver Anniversary Celebration
Iceland is the guest of honour
1181 publishers
63 countries
2016
Italy is the guest of honour
1265 publishers
2017
China is the guest of honour
1320 publishers
65 countries
Muhyiddin bin Arabi is the Focus Personality
2018
Poland is the guest of honour
1350 publishers
63 countries
Sheikh Zayed is Focus Personality
2019
India is the guest of honour
The “One Million Tolerant Document” initiative is launched
For the first time participants include: Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Malta, Portugal
Ousha Al Suwaidi is Focus Personality
2020
This edition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
Germany is the guest of honour
800 publishers
46 countries
For the first time in the region, a woman holds the position of director of the Fair
Awarding 300 grants for the 'Spotlight on Publishing Rights' programme
2022
Germany is the guest of honour
1130 publishers
80 countries
2023
The concept of sustainability is the central idea
Turkiye is the guest of honour
1300 publishers
90 countries
Focus Personality is Ibn Khaldoun
Facts and Figures about the Sheikh Zayed Book Award
2006
Launch of the Award
2007
1st Edition
1,220 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Dr Denys Johnson- Davies
2008
2nd Edition
731 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: HE Mohammed Bin Eissa
2009
3rd Edition
621 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Prof Pedro Martinez Montavez
2010
4th Edition
693 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah
2011
5th Edition
715 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Prof Xhong Jikun
2012
6th Edition
560 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
2013
7th Edition
1,262 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Dr Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of the Al Azhar
New: Launch of the Arab Culture in Other Languages Category
2014
8th Edition
1,482 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Former King of Saudi Arabia
2015
9th Edition
1,024 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai
2016
10th Edition
1,169 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Amin Maalouf
2017
11th Edition
1,175 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Dr Abdellah Laroui
2018
12th Edition
1,191 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Arab World Institute in France
New: Development of an electronic system for receiving nominations
2019
13th Edition
1,500 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Prof Jaroslav Stetkevych and his wife Prof Suzanne Stetkevych
2020
14th Edition
1,900 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Salma Khadra Jayyusi
2021
15th Edition
2,349 Nominations
2022
16th Edition
3,000 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Dr Abdullah Al Ghathami
2023
17th Edition
3,151 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: Egyptian Musician Omar Khairat
2024
18th Edition
4,240 Nominations
Cultural Personality of the Year: will be announced during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024
