Abu Dhabi, UAE – The sixth edition of the Al Dhafra Book Festival, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, kicks off tomorrow, Monday. The festival, which runs until January 25, 2026, at Zayed City Public Park, is themed “Nourishing and Immersing Al Dhafra.”
The festival features 110 local publishing houses showcasing approximately 55,000 titles covering various fields of knowledge. The number of participating publishers has increased by 10% compared to the previous edition, reflecting the growing cultural and intellectual activity in the Al Dhafra Region.
The festival features a comprehensive cultural and artistic program, including intellectual and cultural sessions, and artistic and heritage events. In addition, it includes the fourth edition of the “Poetry Nights: Voices Beloved by the People” program, which hosts a selection of poets from Al Dhafra to present their poems. The evenings are accompanied by performances of Emirati folk arts.
The events of this year’s festival were designed based on the unique character and rich cultural heritage of the Al Dhafra region. The festival aims to develop the local cultural scene, strengthen the community’s connection to its authentic heritage, and solidify reading as a deeply rooted societal value. This year’s festival also features expanded programs for children, youth, and families, through high-quality events and innovative initiatives that promote a sense of belonging to Emirati cultural, literary, and artistic identity. Furthermore, the events provide a complete family-oriented educational experience, in line with the UAE’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of the Family.
For the first time, the festival has dedicated pavilions to the Homeland Fund, the Fatima bint Hazza Cultural Foundation, and Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities. A pavilion has also been allocated to the Trends Research and Advisory Center, further enhancing integration among cultural and knowledge institutions.
On January 20th, at the historic Al Dhafra Fort, the winners of the third edition of the “Sard Al-Dhahab” (Golden Narrative) Award, organized annually by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, will be honored. This award aims to support creativity and revive the art of folk storytelling.
The Al Dhafra Book Festival draws its vision from local cultural heritage. It also affirms its mission to cultivate a generation of readers connected to authentic Emirati heritage and values, and to enhance the cultural standing of the Al Dhafra region within the UAE.
