Arabian Days Festival Celebrates Arabic Language And Culture In Abu Dhabi This December

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has unveiled the third Arabian Days Festival. Scheduled from 13th to 15th December at Manarat Al Saadiyat, this event celebrates Arabic as a vibrant cultural force. The festival is themed "Arabic is the Vibe" and aligns with UNESCO’s World Arabic Language Day celebrations.

Open to everyone, Arabian Days offers an immersive experience celebrating the Arabic language through music, dialogue, and art. It welcomes both native speakers and newcomers, featuring performances and interactive experiences that bring the language to life. This platform highlights both emerging and established creatives influenced by contemporary Arabic culture.

The festival will host leading authors, poets, and scholars alongside emerging Emirati and Arab creatives in discussions, theatre, music, and poetry. Performers include Fouad Abdelwahed, Rahma Riadh, Cairokee band, Rima Khcheich, Lena Chamamyan, Zena Emad among others. Their performances range from modern music to traditional Muwashahat.

Youth play a central role in the festival with activities led by young creators and collaborations with new enterprises. This initiative underscores ALC’s dedication to empowering future generations while fostering pride in Arabic language and culture. The programme also includes a storytelling bootcamp with CNN Arabic for young content creators.

A professional programme in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi will feature a conference titled "AI-Powered Innovation in World Language Education: A Pedagogical and Practical Approach." Workshops will equip educators with AI-driven strategies for developing innovative teaching materials for Arabic.

Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of ALC, stated that the festival embodies the vision of Arabic as both rooted in heritage and a driver of future innovation. He noted that it demonstrates how Arabic remains a language of creativity, research, and technology. The festival invites society to renew their relationship with the language based on pride and imagination.

Cinematic Experiences

A collaboration with the Creative Media Authority will spotlight Arabic cinema through short films produced by graduates of Arab Film Studio. Family-friendly screenings will explore identity, culture, and modern societal themes alongside panel discussions on storytelling in cinema.

The festival transforms Manarat Al Saadiyat into a multisensory hub. It includes the Scent of Arabia journey exploring Arab perfumery heritage through workshops using traditional formulas. This immersive experience connects visitors to cultural traditions while engaging their senses.

Reflecting its cultural impact, Arabian Days Festival received the Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic Language Award in 2025. This recognition highlights its role in advancing and reimagining the Arabic language for new audiences. The event continues to inspire creativity while celebrating linguistic heritage.

With inputs from WAM