Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the fifth edition of Al Dhafra Book Festival kicked off today, Monday, 9 December 2024, at the Madinat Zayed Public Park in Al Dhafra with the participation of 100 local and Arab publishers showcasing 50,000 titles.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the Festival is scheduled to run until 15 December with four new activities on the agenda, most notably, the "Hadirat Baynunah", which simulates a folk tradition where people gathered around storytellers to listen to their tales while enjoying coffee brewed over an open fire.

Other highlights include the "Flavourful Nights" featuring live cooking shows by professional chefs and productive families from Al Dhafra; the "Youth League" featuring exciting sports competitions for youth; and the Musical Programme, which includes musical shows and concerts featuring artists Qusai Al Maamari, Mohammed Al Menhali, and Khalid Mohammed, in addition to a concert by the Arab Choir.

Held under the theme "Celebrating a Cultural Legacy", the Festival’s agenda includes around 200 activities spread across seven corners and within three distinct programmes. This makes it a leading cultural beacon and a unique family experience that supports the ALC’s mission to foster a generation of avid readers with a deep connection to the heritage and values of Emirati society, while empowering the youth and celebrating cultural, artistic, and intellectual pioneers.

With around 60,000 visitors expected this year, the Festival draws its vision from the region’s rich cultural heritage and seeks to promote the values of belonging, creativity, and innovation as a means to strengthen Al Dhafra’s position on the national cultural map.

His Excellency Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: "The launch of the fifth edition of the Al Dhafra Book Festival, with its diverse agenda of activities and programmes, marks a continuation of the success achieved in previous editions of the event. It reflects the deep engagement the Festival has established with its audience and the wider community, underscoring its role in advancing the status of the Arabic language through an integrated agenda of events that enable visitors, particularly children and youth, to enrich their knowledge and experiences, while providing them with ample opportunities to showcase their talents and skills in a supportive cultural and social environment".

HE Bin Tamim stressed the Centre’s commitment to showcasing Al Dhafra’s distinguished heritage and cultural significance with each edition of the Festival, highlighting the region’s pivotal role in shaping the UAE’s cultural and heritage ecosystem, which the city of Al Dhafra and its people played a critical role in creating. "The Festival strives to highlight this role through its various cultural, literary, and artistic programmes, that emulate the nature of Al Dhafra region and connect younger generations with authentic Emirati values", he said. "The youth’s passion for the region and its heritage fuels their creativity, with Al Dhafra’s enchanting sands and landmarks sparking their imagination".

The "Poetry Nights: Voices Loved by People" programme is returning for the third consecutive year, this time in a new format titled "The Poem Secret". The session brings together poets Sultan Al Refaisa, Ali Ahmed Al Kindi Al Marar, and Abdulla Omar Al Mansoori. Meanwhile, another poetry session titled "Beyond the Poem" features poets Rashid Al Fatima Al Mansouri, Hamdan Al Samahi, and Sultan bin Khalifa Al Tunaiji, with both sessions moderated by media personality Mohammed Al Ameri.

The Festival also engages children and youth with competitive activities that stimulate their enthusiasm and contribute to their growth and skill development. The "Alpha" programme offers various sessions and workshops that allow participants to develop new skills and expand their knowledge in various fields and professions, such as doll-making and pottery painting.

Moreover, on 12 December, the Festival will host a ceremony at the historic Al Dhafra Fort to honour winners in the second edition of the Sard Al Thahab (Golden Narrative) Award.

Al Dhafra Book Festival 2024 is held in collaboration with Al Dhafra Region Municipality at the Department of Municipalities and Transport as strategic partner, along with information technology solutions and services provider, Lenador Systems, as technology partner, and both the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination and Al Dhafra Sports and Cultural Club as programme partners.