The 16th Al Ain Book Festival launched this week. Running until 30th November across Al Ain Square and multiple city venues, this year’s edition assembles over 220 publishers and exhibitors under the theme “All Eyes on Al Ain.”

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), which has organised the festival since its inception in 2009, reports significant industry momentum. The 2024 edition welcomed 25 first-time participating publishing houses, while publisher registrations increased by 73% year-on-year.

This year’s programme features 75 Emirati publishing houses alongside regional and international counterparts, underlining the festival’s role as a commercial catalyst rather than merely a cultural showcase.

Industry Dialogue Takes Centre Stage

During his tour, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan engaged directly with publishers and writers to discuss digital transformation challenges and strategies for expanding Arabic content’s global footprint. This executive-level dialogue reflects the festival’s evolution into a serious business platform where commercial realities intersect with cultural objectives.

Dr Ali Bin Tamim, ALC Chairman, emphasised the festival’s dual mandate: strengthening Arabic language preservation while creating export pathways for Emirati literature. “The festival builds momentum by providing opportunities for local publishers to connect with readers and peers across the region and beyond,” he noted, positioning the event as a bridge between national identity and international markets.


Programming with Commercial Impact

The seven-day programme comprises 28 cultural sessions, 54 theatrical performances, and over 100 workshops covering literature, art, and science. Ninety workshops target children’s publishing – a strategic investment in future readership.

Key industry-focused initiatives include the Kanz Al Jeel Award ceremony celebrating Nabati poetry, a tradition gaining commercial traction through phenomena such as The Million’s Poet television programme.

The festival also marks the launch of a strategic partnership between ALC and UAE University, formalising knowledge-sharing protocols between academic institutions and publishing houses.


Cultural Tourism and Market Development

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, framed the festival within Abu Dhabi’s creative economy strategy, aligning with the emirate’s Year of Community 2025 objectives. The event reinforces Al Ain’s emergence as a cultural tourism destination while serving as a practical marketplace where publishers can test products, negotiate rights, and forge distribution partnerships across the Arab world and beyond.

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This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.