The 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), opening today at the ADNEC Centre and running through May 5, 2025, is set to captivate visitors with a rare 14th-century manuscript of Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine. Valued at Dh464,550, this masterpiece, presented by London’s prestigious antiquarian book dealer Peter Harrington, commemorates the 1,000th anniversary of the iconic work that shaped medical knowledge across medieval Islamic and global scholarship.
Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed, the fair embraces the theme Knowledge Illuminates Our Community. It welcomes 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries, offering a vibrant program of over 2,000 events, including literary discussions, publishing workshops, and cultural exchanges.
Peter Harrington’s curated collection celebrates the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern heritage and cross-cultural connections. Among the highlights is a groundbreaking 1834 American novel, The Kentuckian in New-York, featuring the earliest known use of Arabic script in U.S. literature, priced at £7,500 (Dh36,675). Another gem is a previously undocumented 19th-century Arabic-English phrasebook by an Egyptian scholar, also valued at £7,500.
The fair also spotlights a rare 1835 first complete Arabic edition of One Thousand and One Nights, printed at Cairo’s Bulaq Press, honoring the timeless tales as the event’s Book of the World. Adding historical depth, a 1948 visual archive of Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz Railway project, with over 200 unpublished photographs, is offered at £18,500 (Dh90,465). Art enthusiasts will be drawn to original watercolours by celebrated illustrator Edmund Dulac for The Arabian Nights, priced between £35,000 and £80,000 (Dh171,000 to Dh391,000).
“These artifacts are more than rare—they embody stories of identity and heritage,” said Pom Harrington, owner of Peter Harrington. He highlighted a rising interest among younger Middle Eastern collectors in items reflecting personal and cultural narratives. Sales director Ben Houston noted growing demand for Arabic calligraphy, Islamic philosophy, early scientific manuscripts, and materials tied to diasporic heritage, such as trade maps and language guides.
Organizers emphasized that this trend reflects a regional movement toward preserving national identity and cultural legacy, shaping both private and institutional collections. The ADIBF promises a dynamic celebration of knowledge, bridging past and present through its remarkable exhibits and global dialogue.
