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The second edition of the Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival will launch on Monday, bringing together poets, cultural figures, and audiences for a three-day celebration of Arabic poetry. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the festival runs through February 11, 2026, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
According to organizers, the Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival represents a significant cultural gathering that highlights Arabic poetry as an essential component of cultural identity. The event takes place within the framework of the Year of the Family 2026 initiatives, reflecting poetry’s role in strengthening social values and fostering intergenerational communication.
The festival builds on the success of its inaugural edition, which attracted more than one thousand poets and over fifteen thousand visitors. This established the event as a prominent Arab cultural platform that unites poets and poetry enthusiasts in a shared space for dialogue and creativity.
Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival Features Diverse Cultural Programming
The opening day features multiple seminars and dialogue sessions exploring poetry’s presence in society. These include a session titled “Barakatna” for senior citizens organized by the Family Development Foundation, alongside a symposium on poetic transformations in Gulf music featuring researchers and specialists in popular literature.
Additionally, Mohammed bin Zayed University for Humanities will present research projects by graduate students. Evening sessions continue with intellectual discussions on topics including why people read poetry today, organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, and poetry’s role in documenting historical events.
Poetry recitals serve as a central pillar of the program, with Nabati and classical Arabic poets presenting sequential readings. The first day also showcases Emirati performing arts including rababa, shallah, mankous, wannah, and taghrooda, along with qaltah and popular chants.
Second Day Highlights Media and Poetry Connections
Day two continues with varied cultural programming, beginning with the “Kharaif” session exploring narrative heritage. A dialogue session titled “Shaa’ir Al Million Between Season One and Twelve” examines the program’s experience and impact on the Arab poetry scene.
The schedule includes a symposium on popular media and Nabati poetry, plus a session called “Profession: Poet” organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi. The day features a Nabati poetry morning session and several evening recitals, including performances titled “In Praise of Communication” and a university students’ poetry evening.
Meanwhile, traditional performing arts continue throughout the festival, complemented by podcast sessions hosting poets and critics discussing their experiences and visions regarding poetry. The “Shaa’ir Al Million” finale also takes place during the evening program.
Final Day Explores Poetry’s Future
The third day focuses on the future of Arabic poetry and its relationship with media. A symposium titled “National Poetry Between the Platform and Media” brings together researchers in popular literature and cultural media, alongside sessions on the Hilali epic narratives in the UAE.
In contrast to the opening days’ broader themes, the final day features specialized discussions including a symposium on popular literature and future studies, plus an intellectual session on the future of Arabic poetry. The “Barakatna” session for senior citizens continues as part of the cultural program.
Nurturing Young Talent and Cultural Heritage
The festival dedicates space for developing new talents through the “Young Poet Corner,” offering educational workshops for children in Arabic calligraphy, traditional crafts, and recitation arts. Interactive sessions introduce children to classical and Nabati poetry forms.
However, the festival extends beyond live events with a daily cultural podcast documenting activities and hosting participating poets and festival guests. This multimedia approach ensures broader engagement with the poetry community.
The Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival celebrates Nabati poetry as a fundamental component of Emirati and Gulf culture while providing space for classical Arabic poetry. This vision combines authenticity and innovation, affirming Abu Dhabi’s role in supporting Arabic poetry and preserving cultural heritage.
The festival concludes on February 11 with a final poetry evening featuring performances by poets of determination and closing recitals. The event reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as an Arab cultural center bridging heritage and modernity through its commitment to elevating poetry’s role in cultural life.
