Abu Dhabi, UAE; March 22, 2022:  In its 19th edition held under the theme Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creativity, Innovation & Joy, Abu Dhabi Festival hosted a distinguished panel of pioneering Emirati and Arab poets as part of the Portrait of a Nation II: Beyond Narratives exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat on 21 March. The panel celebrated World Poetry Day and the power of words, highlighting the role of poetry in our modern societies. 

H.E. Huda Ibrahim Alkhamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and the Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival said: “On World Poetry Day, we celebrate a literary tradition deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Arab world.  Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of cultural expression, and in line with our objective to serve as a gateway to knowledge, we are pleased to present a panel discussion between contemporary Arab poets who can provide insight into the rich history of poetry in Arab culture and the legacy it has left in embodying the notion of self-identity”.
Moderated by Emirati poet Amal Al Sahlawi, the panel featured leading Arab poets and creatives, including Emirati poet Abdul Kareem Maatouk, Lebanese poet Shawki Bazie’ and Palestinian writer and poet Sameh Kaawach.

Panelists explored what “poetry is the diwan of the Arabs” means for contemporary Arabic poetry. The panel also looked into the relationship between poets and their cultural and social environments, the impact of deep-rooted cultural heritage on Arab poetry’s aspirations for the future, using poems to reflect self-identity, as well as the significance of poetry as an Arabic literary tradition that broadens the horizons of readers in terms of history and culture. 
World Poetry Day aims to celebrate the art of poetry, which is considered one of the oldest forms of artistic expression and a manifestation of linguistic and cultural identity. Celebrating poets, and their contribution to culture and literature, World Poetry Day aims to encourage a return to the oral traditions of poetic recitals, promoting poetry in education, restoring cooperation between poetry and other art forms such as theatre, dance, music, and painting; as well as supporting small publishers.

The panel was held as part of the activation programme at the Portrait of a Nation II: Beyond Narratives exhibition, running until 16 April at Manarat Al Saadiyat, which hosts several unique live events alongside a dynamic collection of art, celebrating the achievement of five decades of visual art in the UAE. On display at the exhibition are over 100 artworks, including 17 commissions, by the over 60 creative artists in the UAE, who laid the foundation of the cultural achievements of today.  

The 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 is held under the theme Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creativity, Innovation & Joy, is being held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Assistant to His Highness the President of the Authority for Women’s Affairs, and Chairperson of the Higher Committee for Ataya Initiative, with support from its lead partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and energy partner GS Energy.

The 2022 Abu Dhabi Festival programme is part of the contribution made by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation to the UAE capital’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music, further bolstering its role as a world leading musical centre and incubator of an innovation-based resilient and sustainable music ecosystem. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses over 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 live and digital events. The 19th edition will also include two world tours and 17 world premieres.