{
  "id": 6852934,
  "title": "Abu Dhabi Book Fair at 35: From modest beginnings to global publishing hub",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/abu-dhabi-book-fair-at-35-from-modest-beginnings-to-global-publishing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T03:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2026/09/12/abu-dhabi-book-fair-at-35-from-modest-beginnings-to-global-publishing-hub/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is set to open this Sunday, featuring over 1,500 publisher stands and books in more than a dozen languages. The six-day event, which runs until Friday, will host discussions and performances across six stages.\n\nThe fair began in 1981 as the Islamic Book Fair, part of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision to enhance the UAE's cultural life. At the time, it started as a tent at the Cultural Foundation, a historic landmark that seemed enormous to young Saeed Al Tunaiji, who visited as a school student. The tent represented a world of diverse books and ideas that captivated him and many others.\n\nOver the years, the fair has grown into a global publishing hub, attracting publishers from across the Arab world and beyond. One of the biggest challenges initially was convincing established Arab publishing houses to participate. However, once they became regular delegates, the fair's focus shifted to supporting Emirati publishers by connecting them with the international book trade.\n\nIn 2006, the Abu Dhabi Book Fair partnered with the Frankfurt Book Fair, jointly running the event from 2007 to 2013. This partnership expanded rights trading and professional meetings while strengthening ties with an international network of publishers, agents, and rights professionals. This year, Latin American publishers from Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Cuba are making their first appearance at the fair.\n\nThe Abu Dhabi Book Fair has also become a gathering place for literary prizes from across the Arab world and beyond, with about 20 local, Arab, and international awards participating. Among these is the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, marking its 20th ceremony this year.\n\nThis year's fair will also recognize leading Emirati literary and cultural figures through the Emirati Pioneers initiative. The first recipient, Writer Mohammed Al Murr, is the chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation. Al Tunaiji emphasizes that while cultural institutions celebrate and honor figures from various cultures, there is a need to recognize and honor Emirati creative figures as well.",
  "summary": "When the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opens on Sunday, visitors entering Adnec Centre will walk past more than 1,500 publisher stands and shelves carrying books in more than a dozen languages. Across the venue, discussions and performances will take place on six stages. The fair is running until Friday , but turn the page back a little further and its history stretches 45 years, to a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Abu Dhabi Book Fair begins 35th edition this Sunday",
    "Fair started as Islamic Book Fair in 1981, grew to global hub",
    "2006 partnership with Frankfurt Book Fair expanded reach"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Abu Dhabi Book Fair at 35: From modest beginnings to global publishing hub",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/abu-dhabi-book-fair-at-35-from-modest-beginnings-to-global-publishing-6854369",
        "published": "2026-09-12T03:17:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}