Al Ain Book Festival 2025 celebrates the biography of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed
Al Ain, November 26 / WAM / The “Nights of Poetry: The Singing Word” programme, the most prominent event of the Al Ain Book Festival 2025, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center from the 24th to the 30th of this November, celebrated the biography of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, as a prominent national figure with great achievements in the field of media and culture. The evening, which was held yesterday at Al Muwaiji Palace, honored his career as a creator who cared for poetry. And popular heritage, leaving a lasting mark in preserving and documenting it.
The evening was hosted by journalist Ahmed bin Khalaf Al-Badwawi, poets Mohammed Al-Sharif, Sultan bin Khalif Al-Tunaiji, and researcher Mohammed Saif Al-Rumaithi, with the participation of singer Khaled Mohammed and percussion artist Abdullah Al-Balushi, and was witnessed by a large presence, including major poets in the field of popular poetry, and general cultural figures.
In the opening speech, His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Taniji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, stressed that the event celebrates the written word and its spirit through poetry, which forms the memory of the place and its authentic voice.
His Excellency pointed out that the program “Nights of Poetry: The Sung Word” appears in its fourth session under the slogan “From the eye, the poem is sung,” carrying the fragrance of the Emirati poem, as it is a vibrant arena that reconnects art with conscience, and highlights the harmony between heritage and creativity.
His Excellency explained that the program honors three great poets this season, namely: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Dr. Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the poet Hamad bin Suhail Al Ketbi, may God have mercy on them.
His Excellency said that the current version, in line with the declaration of the year 2025 as the Year of Society, restores the social role of poetry, with hosting more than 30 poets from the Emirates and Gulf countries to revive Qasr Al Muwaiji evenings with popular performance styles such as Al-Taghrouda, Al-Wuna and Al-Mankos, and opening the way for emerging talents for the first time, pointing out that the “Nights of Poetry: The Sung Word” program reflects the concept of cultural and creative industries, consolidates the presence of the Arabic language in the hearts of generations, and welcomes With the audience on nights full of poetry and blossoming creativity.
The participants in the evening reviewed the positions of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, and his achievements as a prominent national figure who worked silently, with insight and skill, and left a firm mark on the path of the UAE, as his name was associated with culture, horsemanship and heritage, and he was an example of a leader who combined the authentic Emirati spirit with an advanced civilizational vision, and his fingerprints are still present in the country’s institutions and its cultural scene.
The poet Mohammed bin Hashim Al-Sharif spoke, stressing that Sheikh Sultan is one of the most important poetic voices who lived through many of the nation’s moments, pointing to his role in establishing the Emirates Heritage Club and the Information Affairs Office, which was later transformed into the Sultan bin Zayed Center for Culture and Media. He contributed to highlighting the culture of our ancestors, and dedicated his life to preserving the Emirati identity, praising his noble humanitarian stances, his keenness to communicate with poets and intellectuals and his interest in them, and following up on them. The finest details in competitions and events.
Researcher Mohammed Saeed Al Rumaithi, one of the founders of the Emirates Heritage Club, which is considered a reference in literary and heritage studies, confirmed the late great interest in heritage, whether land or marine, as he, may God have mercy on him, took care of the details, and was keen on marine racing and bearings, in implementation of the will of his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, to hold various bearing competitions. He was also interested in holding a camel racing festival in Sweihan, and he was keen for everyone to participate. By setting conditions that ensure this is easy for them.
The poet Sultan bin Khalif Al Taniji, presenter of poetry programs on Al Wusta TV, began his talk about Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the human being and the leader, by reciting a poem praising his achievements.
Before he touched on a group of Sheikh Sultan’s verses, which reflect the strength of vocabulary and his distinctive style.
The artist, Khaled Muhammad Abu Dhiyab, reviewed Sheikh Sultan’s interest in poets and artists, and said: “May God have mercy on him, he used to hold annual poetry festivals, choose songs himself, encourage popular, traditional, and national poems, and encourage us to create the most beautiful melodies. He was a connoisseur and critic of poetry, and he always encouraged us and pushed us forward with his positive spirit.”
The evening witnessed the reciting of poems by the deceased by the participants, including the poet Sultan bin Khalif Al Tunaiji, and the artist Khaled also entertained the audience by singing the poem “May God protect you and protect you.” .
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
