"The wisdom of culture" Logo of the twenty-third session of the Abu Dhabi Festival

Abu Dhabi, 8 December / WAM / Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorary Founding Patron of the Abu Dhabi Festival, and Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Patron of the Abu Dhabi Festival, wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the festival returns, organized by the Abu Dhabi Group for Culture and Arts, in its twenty-third session, Under the slogan “The Wisdom of Culture”.

The festival’s slogan emphasizes that culture represents the basis of knowledge and a bridge that unites nations and inspires the exchange of ideas, creativity and innovation, towards a shared, bright future for humanity.

The main program of the festival in its next session in 2026 includes an agenda full of international musical performances, partnerships with major cultural institutions, and international festivals, while it will also celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations and friendship between the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, the guest country of honor for its current session.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the role of the festival, which since its establishment in 2004 has presented a pioneering model of cultural diplomacy and soft power, and contributes to strengthening the UAE’s position as a global beacon of thought and a forum for cultural dialogue and human convergence.

His Highness said that the festival, in its twenty-third session, comes under the slogan “The Wisdom of Culture,” an embodiment of the UAE’s vision of the importance of the role of culture and the arts in spreading the values ​​of understanding, coexistence, peace, and convergence among peoples, and achieving sustainable development and prosperity in societies.

His Highness added that, for more than two decades, the Abu Dhabi Festival has embodied my country’s leadership in preserving identity, originality, modernity and innovation together, and has also strengthened the Emirati and Arab presence globally, with the first joint productions and exclusive commissions, with major cultural institutions and international festivals, and in its 2026 session, the festival continues its continuous process of giving, seeking to present major international artists on the stages of Abu Dhabi, the capital of culture and the city of music, with its keenness on the presence of creative people. Emiratis on stage alongside their colleagues from around the world.

He added that the Abu Dhabi Festival celebrates the United States of America, the guest of honor of the current session, in confirmation of the strategic relations between the two friendly countries and the depth of the second cooperation in all fields, including cultural ones, in addition to our firm commitment to working together to promote regional and global peace and stability, and to spread the values ​​of tolerance and human brotherhood among peoples.

His Highness said: “We look forward to a new session characterized by leadership creativity, and confirms the important role of the festival in building bridges of international cooperation and enhancing the UAE’s position in the global cultural scene.”

The festival’s slogan, “The Wisdom of Culture,” represents a beacon that highlights the role of culture in bringing people together, communication, and dialogue between identities and cultures. It also highlights artistic creativity in the Emirates and the Arab region and unites Abu Dhabi with the world, affirming the firm belief that culture is a universal, universal language that inspires creativity, leads innovation, and strengthens ties across borders.

As the festival’s guest of honor, the United States of America will be celebrated and its close cultural relations with the UAE will be highlighted, and their joint commitment to refining creativity and enriching dialogue and common understanding by harnessing the capabilities of the arts will also be celebrated. More than 50 years of diplomatic relations and cooperation with the UAE will be celebrated.

Through an inspiring program of events and cross-cultural initiatives, the festival will best express the shared vision of the two countries to promote artistic innovation and cultural exchange.

While the Abu Dhabi Group for Culture and Arts, which organizes the Abu Dhabi Festival, celebrates the 30th anniversary of its launch under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, with the aim of enriching Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision and empowering the cultural and creative industries in the Emirates, by investing in youth, supporting artists and inspiring the public, the 2026 festival session comes to confirm the country’s belief in the qualitative power of culture.

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