Are you excited for the Al Dhafra Book Festival 2024?
Here's an overview on the locations where the Festival's activities will take place, as well as how our app can help you plan your visit this year.
The Al Dhafra Book Festival 2024 provides a variety of programmes for all family members through pillars that support its mission of building a reading generation connected to the heritage and authentic values of the Emirati society, appreciating the pioneers of culture, knowledge, and arts, empowering youth, and consolidating the Al Dhafra region's prominent position.
The Popular “Poetry Nights -Voices Loved by People" programme returns to Al Dhafra Book Festival for the third consecutive year, featuring special poetry sessions, hosting prominent poets from Al Dhafra, who will recite their poems and share the stories behind them.
Children and Teens programmes are at the heart of the Al Dhafra Book Festival 2024, as various programmes and events are allocated and presented in 2 corners, one for children and another for youth, in addition to many activities distributed throughout the Festival’s location. Programmes for children and youth range from artistic and scientific workshops to science and educational shows, as well as meet-and-greet with some of children’s favourite cartoon characters and kinetic play activities.
The Al Dhafra Book Festival 2024 hosts a variety of arts programmes ranging from murals and 3D drawings to live arts performances. Furthermore, the Arts Corner is dedicated to displaying the artwork of local artists, as well as artistic activities and workshops for the public. The Festival also dedicates, for the first time, a photography corner that includes a display of the work of local photographers, and a photography studio.
The Al Dhafra Book Festival is alive with music and song, bringing to life the most beautiful poetry and melodies through four exceptional concerts, as well as performances by traditional and folkloric music groups that roam the festival, spreading joy throughout its duration.
For the first time at the Al Dhafra Book Festival, story lovers gather in "Al Hadirah", where they enjoy traditional Arabic coffee brewed over an open fire and listen to storytellers weaving their beautiful tales, reliving memories in an intimate, heritage-filled atmosphere. Don't miss the "Hadirat Baynonah" sessions, offering a truly unique experience. "Al Hadirah" is a traditional gathering place for the Bedouins, serving as the community council (majlis) of the past. It is a space personally defined by the individual and surrounded by branches of the "Murrakh" tree, which grows in the United Arab Emirates. Other tree branches, such as "Samar" and "Ghaf", are used to support the "Murrakh" branches because they cannot withstand strong winds and harsh weather conditions on their own. The structure of the "Al Hadirah" is typically built in an open circle on one side, ensuring that the open side is not facing the direction of the wind. It is usually positioned to the east, as the prevailing winds in the UAE are generally from the southeast. This design also helps protect those inside from dust and sand carried by the wind. Many people use “Al Hadirah” during the winter as a causey space for lighting a fire and preparing coffee in a "Dallah" (traditional coffee pot), making it a central space for storytelling and recounting events from the distant past.
A group of rich seminars and discussions awaits you at the Al Dhafra Book Festival 2024, with various topics that highlight real-life experiences and challenges and societal topics such as sustainability, people of determination, and the importance of the Arabic language.
A dynamic sports programme at the Al Dhafra Book Festival, featuring football and volleyball competitions. It encourages youth participation, fosters teamwork and sportsmanship, and creates an exciting, interactive environment full of energy and enthusiasm.
Madinat Zayed Park, with an area of 230,000 square metres, is located at the entrance of Madinat Zayed. It includes 149 different games for children, as well as 8 games for people of determination. It also has sports equipment and a 2,000-meter longitudinal walkway for exercise, as well as a football field and designated barbecue areas. The park is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
The Western Souk & Mall located in Madinat Zayed, the heart of Al Dhafra Region, is a contemporary fusion of Middle Eastern flare featuring retail outlets with cultural elements. It comprises of textile shops packed with rolls of the best fabrics and silks, traditional souvenir stores along with a variety of products of vibrant spices & herbs, pure perfumes and traditional ouds, attractive Arabic design gold jewelry from the art of local traders.
Situated on the outskirts of the city, Al Dhannah Mall offers a plethora of shopping options and excellent customer service through a variety of brands. It comprises a hypermarket and a collection of stores selling fashion, furniture, makeup, stationery, and Arab and international perfumes, along with shops selling jewellery, chocolate, and watches.
Ghayathi Mall caters to the residents of the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. The mall offers a wide range of retail shops, dining options, and entertainment facilities. It includes a variety of fashion brands, electronics, home goods, and a supermarket, as well as a food court, leisure facilities, and ample parking space.
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