Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the Al Ain Book Festival 2024 kicks off its activities at Al Ain Square - Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, where it is set to take place, along with various other heritage, cultural, and tourist locations across the city, from 17 to 23 November under the theme "All Eyes on Al Ain".

This year’s Festival presents more than 200 events and activities, bringing together a distinguished group of pioneers in culture, art, and poetry from various creative fields. The event aims to promote a culture of reading and encourage members of the community, especially youth and young adults, to engage with Emirati cultural heritage and appreciate its rich legacy.

His Excellency Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: "The patronage of the Al Ain Book Festival by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, underscores the success of the Festival and consolidates its position as a prominent cultural destination that promotes knowledge, embraces culture, contributes to the publication of books, and celebrates icons of culture, science, knowledge, and arts".

"With its distinguished vision", HE continued, "the Festival has supported the Centre’s strategic efforts to promote the presence of the Arabic language as a key component of cultural identity, in line with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s vision to create a generation of avid readers with strong ties to their language and culture and to the Emirati heritage and authentic values".

"The Festival promotes Al Ain’s position as a cultural and intellectual hub, highlighting its deep connections to culture, books, and education, while being home to some of the UAE’s oldest and most prominent universities", HE Bin Tamim added. "Furthermore, the event supports Al Ain’s presence as the Capital for Gulf Tourism 2025 by promoting its leading cultural and heritage sites that were selected to host the Al Ain Book Festival’s cultural and recreational activities, inspired by the UAE’s rich heritage".

The exhibition allows visitors to explore notable publications across all cultural fields, with 200 exhibitors showcasing 100,000 scientific and intellectual titles. The ALC invites the public to visit the Festival, which has become a unique movement in harmony with Abu Dhabi’s cultural and intellectual achievements. Visitors can enjoy events at six main venues: Al Ain Square - Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Jahili Fort, and the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), in addition to the "Khazanat Al Kutub" activities in three malls across Al Ain. This, in turn, reflects the Centre’s vision and strategic objectives to create a knowledge-based society and foster a community-wide cultural movement.

Preserving Folk Poetry and Heritage

The "Poetry Nights: The Sung Poetry" programme, one of the Festival’s key initiatives, highlights the UAE’s pioneering experience in preserving folk poetic heritage. It features three segments: "The Absent Yet Present", which commemorates notable poets who enriched the poetry scene and passed away in 2024; "Beginnings and Endings", which discusses the role of the media, government initiatives, and private efforts in documenting and preserving poetry; and "Poets Majlis", which recreates the atmosphere of poetry gatherings that were broadcast on television stations in the 1980s.

In its current edition, the Festival celebrates through "Poetry Nights" the legacy of the late Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and his notable support for literature and poetry and his keenness to promote culture among generations.

The Zayed Central Library will host a ceremony to honour the winners of this year’s third edition of the "Kanz Al Jeel" Award.

Diverse Cultural and Artistic Programmes

The Al Ain Book Festival offers a variety of cultural and artistic programmes that cater to all family members, including a range of seminars and discussions on topics like sustainability, fostering a culture of innovation, youth empowerment, and child development.

The UAE University will host sessions from the Cultural Programme, covering topics like novels, children’s literature, and cinema. The programme also provides a space for new initiatives to support young Emirati talents, including the "Creative Walks" initiative, which highlights writers, illustrators, and photographers, hosting talented young Emiratis in workshops across Al Ain’s cultural sites, as well as the "Dawahi Al Ain" initiative, another activity on the Festival’s agenda designed to empower young talents.

As part of the Festival events, the winners of the Al Ain City Photography Competition, organised in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), in addition to celebrating World Children’s Day and the National Day of Oman.

The Festival’s agenda also includes a range of activities focused on children and youth culture, featuring art, environment, and heritage workshops that will contribute to their growth and enable them to develop new skills. The event will also host impressive young talents, such as Mahra Al Naqbi, the UAE’s youngest beekeeper.

The Al Ain Book Festival will collaborate with "Ajyal Al Mustaqbal" library at the Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Future Generation Society to host the Mobile Smart Library, which specialises in children’s literature, to provide special reading services.

The Festival will also feature a special pavilion titled "Words of the Founding Father", featuring the words of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in an innovative display designed by artist Salim Al Kaabi.

Elsewhere, the agenda features live performances by talented artists, along with roaming performances throughout the Festival venues and the concert "The Realm of Melody" by the Arab Choir that will take audiences on an artistic journey that celebrates heritage and creativity. The group will perform a collection of timeless poems by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a selection of Arabic songs.