Timings:
Friday: 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday - Monday: 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM
With over 400 million speakers worldwide, Arabic stands as a major global linguistic asset. Arabic is a fundamental element of Arab and UAE identity, crucial for societal interaction and fostering a vibrant exchange of knowledge, culture, and creativity. To challenge stereotypes and promote a modern image of Arabic, the "Arabian Days" festival has been established in Abu Dhabi.
This festive and youthful event aims to celebrate Arabic language and culture, emphasizing its heritage, value, and future in poetry, literature, creative arts, and daily life. Coinciding with UNESCO's World Arabic Language Day on December 18, this inaugural edition marks the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre's commitment to the language's significance.
The event's chosen dates hold special significance, aligning with UNESCO's World Arabic Language Day on December 18, focusing this year on "Arabic as the Language of Poetry and Arts." This inaugural edition lays the foundation for future growth, aiming to redefine perceptions and enhance the language's popularity among the target audience. Starting in 2024, the event will become an annual fixture, building on this foundation for continued success.
A pop-up cinema featuring a programme of long-form films around the theme of Arabic writers and poets, hosted by the popular Cinema Akil, to create awareness and interest in film and the cinematic arts inspired by Arabic tales.
Performances from a wide range of artists and musicians from the Arab region and the rest of the world.
Reliving the traditional concept of oral storytelling of traditional and contemporary Arabic narratives in a modern take on the practice of gathering to tell stories that connect us.
Enjoy a selection of sung poetry for “Arabian Days” presented by “Anghami” from leading legacy singers and rising stars of today.
Listen to the list
The Conference coinciding with “Arabian Days” includes literary discussions and in-depth dialogues joining an elite group of artists, poets, and scholars, exploring numerous topics on Arabic language in poetry and creative arts will be discussed, comprising Arabic poetry in the world of harmony and rhythm; the horizons of Arabic translation; the cultural and linguistic influences of Arabic music and sung poetry; transformations and challenges in the Arabic language curricula; fine arts and Arabic calligraphy; drama and theatre; and the role of Arabic literature in promoting tolerance and understanding across cultures.
A melodramatic representation of famous and intriguing characters from Arabic culture across ages, to highlight their historical significance, and their enduring imprint to this day.
Antarah bin Shaddad
Al Khalil bin Ahmad Al Farahidi
Ziryab
Wallada bint Al Mustakfi
Al Mutanabbi
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Naguib Mahfouz
Mai Zyadeh
Gibran Khalil Gibran
