In the presence of HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, the Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the conference accompanying the "Arabian Days" Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, was launched today at Manarat Al Saadiyat and included a number of dialogue sessions and innovative literary discussions.

Following the opening address by HE Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, and keynote address by the guest of honour, HE Irene Lozano Domingo, Director of Casa Árabe in Madrid; audience attended the musical performance "The Red Gloom of Time" by the Spanish band "Mawlid”, which weaved Andalusian/Spanish melodies together with verses of authentic Arabic poetry, written almost 8 centuries ago by Lisan Al Din ibn Al Khatib.

The conference began with the session "Arabic Melody: A Poetic Journey through the World of Harmony and Rhythm" that delved deeper into the history of Arabic’s evocative artform and discovered the treasures hidden within its words. The session was moderated by Amal Al Sahlawi, an Emirati poet and writer, who had the discussion with Egyptian poet and critic Ahmed Abdelmuti Hijazi, Tunisian poet, novelist, and university professor Moncef Al Wahaibi, and Iraqi critic, poet, and university professor Ali Jaafar Al Alaaq.

It was followed by the fascinating dialogue session "Arab Poetry in the Age of the World: Challenges of Reception and Future Translation Prospects". Translator Mustafa Al Sulaiman moderated the discussion with Maurice A. Pomerantz, Program Head of Arab Crossroads Studies and Associate Professor of Literature at New York University Abu Dhabi, Yara Al Masri, an Egyptian translator specialising in Arabic and Chinese, and Stefan Weidner, a German writer, translator, and critic.

The 3rd innovative talk session was titled "Music as a Language: The Cultural and Linguistic Effects of Arabic Music Today", which reflected on the role of contemporary Arabic music, considering its structure and patterns, and its influence on language and culture. It was moderated by Sarah Dundarawy, TV presenter at Al Arabiya News (MBC), who had the discussion with the Lebanese orchestra conductor Toufic Maatouk, Deputy Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich, Saudi singer Salwa Al Ahmad, and Egyptian singer, oud musician, and music researcher Mustafa Al Saeed.

The Conference was concluded with a special dialogue on "Drama and Theatre" with the Egyptian artist Mona Zaki, discussing how theatre and drama have contributed to Arab culture, enhancing the potential of the Arabic language.