The Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026 runs at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from September 13–18, with around 1,500 events, exhibitors from 95 countries and sessions across six stages. This guide picks 13 talks, performances and discussions for readers deciding what to catch.
The official Abu Dhabi International Book Fair programme confirms the 35th edition, while The National’s guide provides the session timings and speakers below.
Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026: literature and poetry
Cervantes and the Birth of the Modern Novel
When: September 14, 4pm
Muhsin Al Musawi and Akeel Al Marai discuss Don Quixote, its place in the history of fiction and the possibilities it opened for the modern novel.
From Recognition to Readership
When: September 14, 9pm
International Prize for Arabic Fiction winner Said Khatibi discusses his novel Swimming Against the Tide and what literary prizes can do for Arabic fiction beyond its home market.
Habib Al Sayegh: A Legacy of Giving
When: September 14, 7pm
Readings and music honour the late Emirati poet and journalist Habib Al Sayegh, whose work was translated into several languages.
Al Farahidi and the Music of Arabic Poetry
When: September 16, 3pm
Literary critics and musician Mustafa Said examine Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi’s system of Arabic prosody. He is the fair’s Focus Personality.
Music, art and cultural history
Nagat and the Golden Age of Arabic Music
When: September 14, 6pm
The session looks at Egyptian singer Nagat Al Saghira’s career and the collaboration between singers, composers and poets that shaped modern Arabic music.
Sung Secrets: Halim’s Other Half
When: September 14, 9pm
Writer Mohamed Abdelazim, composer Waleed Shaaban and singer Adel Elsanhory discuss Abdel Halim Hafez’s songs and creative partnerships.
Cafe Riche: The Spirit of Place and Time
When: September 15, 5pm
Maisoon Saqr Al Qasimi and Cafe Riche co-owner Andrew Michel revisit the Cairo café’s links to writers and intellectuals including Naguib Mahfouz and Taha Hussein.
Salman Ziman: A Bahraini Musical Legacy
When: September 15, 9pm
Composer Khalifa Ziman reflects on his brother’s contribution to Bahraini and Gulf music, followed by a performance by a Bahraini ensemble.
How Is Creativity Born?
When: September 17, 7pm
Barjeel Art Foundation founder Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi and director Suheyla Takesh discuss Egyptian painter Inji Efflatoun and the experiences behind her work.
UAE history, policy and space
Opening Ceremony
When: Sunday, 5pm
The opening looks back at the fair’s history since 1981, with Emirati music and a theatrical performance inspired by Al Farahidi.
Rashid, Wadeha and the Blue Qur’an
When: September 16, 7pm
Emirati authors Mohammed Al Mansoori and Latifa Al Mansoori lead a family storytelling session around a ninth-century bifolio from Zayed National Museum’s collection.
The UAE in Times of Crisis Creates Miracles
When: September 17, 4pm
Maya Al Mazrouei and political analyst Salem Al Ketbi discuss how UAE authorities and society respond to crises through co-ordination, innovation and long-term planning.
The UAE and the New Language of Space Diplomacy
When: September 17, 5pm
Naser Abdullatif Al Hammadi of the UAE Space Agency considers how space exploration can support diplomacy and international co-operation.
The Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026 takes place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from September 13–18. Check the official visitor information for access details and the latest programme before heading over.
When is Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2026?
The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair runs from September 13 to 18, 2026, at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
How many events are on the Abu Dhabi Book Fair programme?
The fair is expected to feature around 1,500 events, with exhibitors from 95 countries and sessions across six stages.
What subjects does the Abu Dhabi Book Fair cover?
The programme spans literature, poetry, Arabic music, art, UAE history and policy, and space diplomacy.
