Qasr Al Muwaiji is one of the most prominent cultural locations in Al Ain city, listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and unique and iconic location dating back to the early 20^th century. As part of the upcoming 14^th Al Ain Book Festival 2023(AABF), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al Ain city is preparing to host a series of events titled ‘Poetry Nights: The Sung Poetry’ to celebrate the icons and most renowned works of Nabati poetry, showcasing their achievements and projects that have enriched this literary genre.

The agenda for ‘Poetry Nights: The Sung Poetry’ offers a range of events, literary evenings, and sessions featuring renowned poets, researchers in heritage and Arabic literature, and experts. Festivalgoers can expect a diverse array of poetry and singing evenings, along with various panel discussions, from November 19 to 25, celebrating the beauty of Nabati poetry and its aesthetics.

The events will kick off with an opening ceremony presenting icons of Nabati poetry and their legacy through timeless sung poems, renowned locally and around the region. The programme will also feature various artistic and musical performances.

Notable evenings on the agenda for this creative celebration include The Night of Kemaidesh bin Naaman Alkaabi, which honours the poet’s life and achievements as one of the most prominent voices in the field of Nabati poetry in Al Ain and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Moreover, and in celebration of one of the most prominent female voices in Nabati poetry, the programme includes The Night of Angham Al Khulood. The evening sheds light on the life the poet Hind bint Hilal Al Dhaheri, known as Angham Al Khulood – a native of Al Ain, hailing from a family of poets, who has excelled in the field of Nabati poetry, gaining recognition in both the poetic and musical spheres.

In an evening titled The Night of the Million’s Poets, the audience will discover the eloquence and aesthetics of Nabati poems in a session of poetry and song that explores the life stories of a prominent poets, their most notable works, and their sung poems. The session will feature Emirati poets Hamad Albalooshi and Mubarak Alameri, moderated by TV presenter Hamed Almohammadi. Meanwhile, singer Mohammed Almassi and accompanying artists will present a selection of sung poems by the prominent poets the session is featuring.

The programme for ‘Poetry Nights: The Sung Poetry’ includes a series of other poetry evenings and panel discussions that highlight the achievements and creative works of Nabati poetry pioneers from the UAE and the Gulf throughout the duration of the event.

This year, visitors to the Al Ain Book Festival 2023 will experience a dazzling variety of activities, hosted by prominent heritage, social, and cultural sites in Al Ain, including in addition to Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain Square - Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Zayed Central Library, Al Qattara Arts Centre, and several malls around Al Ain city, all under the overarching theme ‘All Eyes on Al Ain’.