Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center to Host Upcoming Al Ain Book Festival in November

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre is organizing the fourth Al Ain Book Festival from November 24-30, 2024, at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and several cultural venues across Al Ain. The festival aims to create a comprehensive cultural experience celebrating books, storytelling, poetry, and creativity while reinforcing Al Ain's position as a premier destination for literary events.

The festival continues to strengthen Al Ain's reputation as a cultural hub through interactive programs that draw from the city's rich heritage. These activities target different community groups, promote reading culture, and place Emirati families at the center of its mission. The event serves as a platform to celebrate Emirati writers and books while showcasing creative talents across various artistic forms.

Said Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, explained that the festival represents the center's vision of developing practical applications for contemporary creative industries. This approach helps enrich cultural identity by transforming Emirati cultural elements into creative products that celebrate local writers, support the publishing industry, and engage with young talents across all social segments.

This year's festival adds a unique dimension to the center's community campaign supporting sustainable reading, launched in February 2024 and running through the end of the year. The campaign works to establish reading as a positive, sustainable habit in daily life while promoting sustainability concepts in the cultural sector and enhancing Arabic's presence as a language of innovation, creativity, science, and arts.

The new edition features diverse activities inspired by Al Ain's cultural memory, including literary, artistic, and intellectual programs designed for all community segments. This comprehensive approach reinforces the festival's status as a complete knowledge hub.

A standout feature is the continuation of "Poetry Nights: The Sung Word" initiative, which aligns with the UAE's focus on its folk poetry heritage. This traditional art form reflects Emirati identity, authenticity, and aesthetic values while serving as a linguistic treasure that enriches Arabic language and culture. The initiative aims to transfer civilizational and intellectual heritage to new generations through language, music, and song.

The festival demonstrates its commitment to establishing Arabic as a fundamental pillar of Emirati identity while contributing to Abu Dhabi's cultural vision through high-quality events that meet international standards. This approach reflects the UAE's position in the global cultural scene and enhances Al Ain's role as a vibrant bridge connecting heritage with contemporary creativity.

The 2024 edition showed remarkable growth, attracting over 260 participation requests - a 73% increase from the previous year. About 200 exhibitors presented more than 100,000 titles, alongside over 200 cultural and literary events targeting all community segments. These numbers have solidified the festival's position on the map of major cultural events in the UAE and the broader region.