Emirati Nabati poetry takes centre stage at Al Dhafra Book Festival

AL DHAFRA, Abu Dhabi – The sixth edition of the Al Dhafra Book Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), is shining a spotlight on the living traditions of Emirati poetry and music. Under the programme “Poetry Nights: Voices Loved by the People,” the festival celebrates the artists and poets who have enriched the cultural landscape of the UAE and preserved its folk heritage, offering audiences evenings that are etched into the memory of the region.

At the main stage of Madinat Zayed Public Park, a heritage evening brought together some of the most beloved local and regional poetry, performed to the accompaniment of the rababa and oud. Sultan Rashid Al Manai, a virtuoso rababa player, opened the evening with a captivating performance of poems by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, followed by Ahmed bin Ali Al Kindi Al Marar’s celebrated poem “Wain Shaddo Badu Al-Khuwayra.” Al Manai’s dedication to the rababa, one of the oldest stringed instruments closely tied to Arab heritage, storytelling and Bedouin life, reflects his mission to preserve the instrument’s legacy in a world where few still master it.

The evening concluded with a oud-driven musical performance by Emirati artist Khalid Mohammed, drawing a large crowd of locals who gathered to witness the blend of poetry, music, and tradition. Through such performances, the festival not only entertains but also educates, preserving the oral traditions that have long defined the UAE’s folk culture.

The festival’s programming goes beyond performance. Panel sessions, such as “Voices That Never Fade,” recalled the contributions of the poet brothers Umair and Mohammed bin Hayyi Al Hamli, while “The Voice of Memory” highlighted poet Ali Misbah Al Kindi Al Marar, whose literary work helped lay the foundations of popular poetry in the UAE. Another interactive session, “When the Sea Meets the Poem,” celebrated poets from coastal communities who lived by the sea and contributed to the folk arts tied to pearl-diving traditions.

In a bid to engage youth and families, the festival dedicates sessions to improvisational poetry, where young poets exchange verses in real time, bringing the spirit of Al Dhafra’s heritage into the contemporary era. Traditional harbiya performances, folk songs and live instrumentals further enrich the festival, offering an authentic experience that blends word, melody, and communal performance.

Through “Poetry Nights,” the ALC continues to highlight the UAE’s oral heritage as both a cultural treasure and a living tradition. The festival connects past and present, ensuring that Emirati poetry, music and storytelling remain vibrant for future generations. By centring the community and family experience, the festival strengthens ties to the region’s unique cultural identity and promotes an appreciation for the folk arts that have shaped the Emirati way of life.

As the sixth edition unfolds until 25th January, the Al Dhafra Book Festival continues to position itself as a cornerstone of Emirati culture, a celebration where poetry, music and storytelling converge, offering audiences a journey through heritage, creativity and the enduring legacy of the UAE’s folk traditions.