Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival is set to launch tomorrow, Monday, at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and will continue until 11th February.
According to Emirates News Agency, the festival is a significant cultural event that unites poets, creatives, and audiences in celebrating Arabic poetry as a key aspect of cultural identity. It is part of Abu Dhabi's dynamic cultural movement and aligns with the Year of the Family 2026 initiatives, emphasizing poetry's role in strengthening social values and fostering connections across generations.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which saw the participation of over 1,000 poets and attracted more than 15,000 visitors, the festival has firmly established itself as a leading Arab cultural platform. It provides a shared space for dialogue and creativity among poets and poetry enthusiasts.
The opening day of the festival will feature seminars and panel discussions on the role of poetry in society. Highlights include 'Barakatna,' a session for senior citizens organized by the Family Development Foundation, and a seminar titled 'Poetic Transformations in Gulf Songs,' featuring experts in folk literature. Presentations of graduate research projects from Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities are also scheduled.
Evening sessions will continue with discussions such as 'Why Do We Read Poetry Today?' organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, along with sessions on 'The Role of Poetry in Documenting Events' and 'The History of Poetry in the Arabian Desert,' involving academics and specialists.
Poetry evenings, a central aspect of the programme, will showcase Nabati and classical Arabic poets through consecutive readings. The first day will also feature Emirati traditional performing arts, including the rababah, shilah, al-mankous, al-wanah, al-taghrudah, and al-qalta, along with popular chants.
The festival's second day offers a vibrant cultural and educational programme, beginning with 'Al-Kharareef,' a session focused on folk storytelling traditions. This will be followed by a panel titled 'Million's Poet: From Season One to Season Twelve,' examining the programme's impact on the Arab poetry scene. Other sessions include 'Folk Media and Nabati Poetry' and 'Poetry as a Profession,' organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.
Attendees can look forward to a Nabati poetry morning session and various evening poetry gatherings, including 'In Praise of Connection' and a special evening for university students. The closing show of Million's Poet will also be part of the evening programme.
Traditional performing arts will continue, along with podcast episodes featuring poets and critics discussing their experiences and perspectives on poetry.
The final day will concentrate on the future of Arabic poetry and its interaction with media. Highlights include the seminar 'The National Poem Between the Stage and the Media,' sessions on narrations of the Al-Hilali epic in the UAE, and a discussion on the Al-Mankous programme.
A specialised symposium on folk literature and future studies will be held, alongside an intellectual session titled 'The Future of Arabic Poetry.' The 'Barakatna' session for senior citizens will remain a part of the festival's cultural agenda.
The day will include a poetry morning for People of Determination, additional poetry evenings, and culminate with the festival's closing poetry night.
The festival also focuses on nurturing emerging talent through the 'Young Poet Corner,' providing educational workshops for children in Arabic calligraphy, traditional etiquette (Al-San'a), and performance skills, along with interactive sessions introducing both classical and Nabati poetry.
A daily cultural podcast will accompany the festival, documenting activities and hosting participating poets and guests. The Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival celebrates Nabati poetry as an integral part of Emirati and Gulf culture while offering a platform for classical Arabic poetry, balancing authenticity and renewal, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's commitment to supporting Arabic poetry and preserving cultural heritage.
