The festival, scheduled to occur from Thursday to October 15, is a collaborative effort between the Emirates Heritage Club and the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi. It is anticipated that over 1,000 poets, along with local, regional, and international authors and writers, will attend this momentous occasion, which is being hailed as the “largest celebration of Arab poetry”. The festival aims to showcase a diverse range of poetic styles, including Nabati and classic Arabic poetry, in order to appeal to a wider audience.
Various pavilions will be set up, including one dedicated to Sheikh Zayed, the esteemed founder of the UAE, and another specifically for Emirati poetry. Additionally, a platform called Poetry Trail will shed light on the historical stages and evolution of Arab poetry. Cultural seminars and poetry sessions will also be held, featuring writers from different Arab countries. A book signing corner will provide opportunities for meet and greets, and a special pavilion will be designated for children to explore and discover the world of poetry. Furthermore, the festival will host the final auditions for Million’s Poet, a competition show aimed at reviving Nabati poetry and identifying the most talented Arabic poet.
Beyond its activities, the festival seeks to support the cultural and literary movement in the Arab World, providing a platform for writers, poets, and literary figures to connect and engage. A conference will also be held at the end of the festival, from Thursday to Saturday, focusing on critical and academic studies, as well as various genres of Arabic poetry.
“The Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival aligns with the dedicated cultural approach of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and its significant role in supporting culture-related and heritage-preservation initiatives, thereby contributing to events taking place in the UAE,” stated Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei. Major General Al Mazrouei serves as the Abu Dhabi Police Commander-in-Chief and Chairman of the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is widely acknowledged as a nurturing environment for poetry, creativity, and talent. It fervently supports the literary arts, playing a crucial role in fostering literary creativity. The emirate is committed to promoting intellectual awareness in the Arab world and enriching the Arab cultural landscape. Above all, Abu Dhabi is dedicated to safeguarding the poetic, literary, and cultural heritage of the UAE and Arabic-speaking nations.