Nahyan Bin Mubarak Highlights Reading Culture At Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026
Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026 is drawing strong attention, with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan visiting the event organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. The festival showcases the cultural role of Al Dhafra, while supporting the UAE leadership’s vision for knowledge, creativity, and social cohesion.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Festival runs from 19th to 25th January at the Public Park in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra. The event focuses on Arabic language publishing, public engagement with books, and activities that appeal to a wide community audience.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre uses Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026 to underline support for sustainable reading and creative talent. The programme targets youth, aims to develop literary and artistic skills, and aligns with national plans to enhance cultural and intellectual excellence across the UAE.
During the visit, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan toured several participating pavilions and publishing houses. Sheikh Nahyan reviewed new titles that promote Arabic language learning and help spread reading habits in different social segments. Dr. Ali bin Tamim and a group of official and cultural figures accompanied Sheikh Nahyan.
Visitors find thousands of book titles from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre catalogue and from more than 110 publishing houses. A diversified programme features specialised activities led by experts in education and technology, supporting Abu Dhabi’s cultural strategy and highlighting Al Dhafra’s intellectual and heritage character.
This year’s edition coincides with the UAE’s ‘Year of the Family’, and the Festival’s sixth edition presents panel discussions, interactive sessions, workshops, and thematic programmes. Activities address poetry, folk heritage, and family-focused content, helping position the event as an inclusive cultural meeting point for different generations.
Key information about the Festival is summarised below.
{TABLE_1}Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026 activities aim to meet visitors’ knowledge needs, strengthen appreciation of folk traditions, and reinforce national identity. A main attraction is ‘Poetry Nights: Voices Loved by People’, which includes the ‘Poets of the Future’ session for young participants, designed to enhance skills and strengthen their link with literature.
Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026 cultural agenda and Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre initiatives
Poets from Al Dhafra join panel discussions, poetry recitals, and folk arts performances that highlight the region’s cultural expression. The interactive ‘From Our Table’ live cooking experience presents Emirati cuisine as a core element of identity, allowing visitors to learn about traditional dishes and preparation methods.
As part of the wider agenda, Al Dhafra Fort hosted a ceremony recognising winners of the third edition of the Sard Al Thahab Award. The Festival also witnessed several new partnerships with government and private bodies, supporting cooperation, knowledge exchange, and dialogue between generations at a community and institutional level.
The broad range of events at Al Dhafra Book Festival 2026 reflects the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s dedication to cultural development in the UAE. By combining books, heritage, family programmes, and professional partnerships, the Festival strengthens Al Dhafra’s position within the national cultural landscape and supports long-term reading initiatives.
With inputs from WAM
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